Chapter 7 · Sparkbound - Chapter 7: The Badge Turns Red

"Put the children down, Commander." Draven's voice cut through the tunnel before the soldiers could drag Nix past the broken rail.

Six rifles swung toward him.

Wren grabbed his sleeve. "Draven, don't."

He didn't look at her. His hand closed around the pistol at his hip, but he kept it lowered. That was the only reason nobody fired.

Across the collapsed platform, Commander Vale stood behind a line of red-coated hunters. His gloved hand rested on Nix's shoulder. The boy's face was gray with dust, one cheek split from the fall into the lower tunnels.

Two other children knelt beside him, wrists locked in bright metal cuffs.

Vale smiled. "You have ten seconds to step away from the smuggler. Then I take you into custody as well."

"You're not taking anyone." Wren moved in front of Draven, even though three rifles tracked her chest. "Let Nix go."

"You don't get to make demands." Vale pressed two fingers against the control disk on Nix's cuff. Blue current snapped across the metal. Nix bit down hard, but the sound still came out.

Wren's spark flared under her skin.

Draven caught her wrist. His palm was hot. Too hot.