Chapter 23 · Sparkbound - Chapter 23: The False Pulse

"If you point that badge at me again, kid, I’ll melt it in your hand."

The boy’s arm shook, but he didn’t lower it.

He couldn’t have been older than nine. His face was smudged with soot, one sleeve torn at the shoulder, and the Combine badge in his fist was almost bigger than his palm. Behind him, the other children crowded against the open cage door, staring at Wren like she had grown teeth.

Draven stepped between them.

"Back up," he said.

The boy swallowed. "She’s the disaster. The badge said so."

"Badges don’t talk. People do. Who told you that?"

"It showed me."

Wren’s pulse kicked hard against the tether around her wrist.

Draven felt it. His fingers closed around her arm before she could yank away, warm and steady over the cold metal ring. The bond flashed once beneath their skin.

Every child in the chamber flinched.

"Let go," Wren snapped.

"Then stop trying to burn through the lock."

"I’m not burning through anything."

A thin orange line crawled from her palm to the tether. The metal hissed.

Draven glanced down. "That’s a lie."

"You want honesty now? Fine.