Chapter 30 · Cassian, we need the lower passage

Another boom struck the doors. This time, the iron lock bent inward.

Sylvia moved to the surgical table and swept three instruments into a leather case. "Cassian, we need the lower passage."

"It’s sealed."

"By him?"

"By the empire."

"Then break it."

"The seal is draining me."

"I noticed."

He caught her elbow as she passed. "You’re not leaving my side."

"I wasn’t planning to."

"You were thinking about it."

"I was thinking about knocking you into the wall and running alone."

"You’d make it six steps."

"Seven."

"Five."

"You’re very confident for someone being held together by a woman you keep insulting."

His fingers tightened around her arm. "I’m not insulting you. I’m warning you."

"You have a terrible way of doing that."

"And you have a terrible habit of surviving out of spite."

"It’s worked so far."

The door screamed as something struck it from the other side.

Vale moved toward the rear wall.

Sylvia saw the motion and stepped into his path. "Where are you going?"

"Away from the soldiers."

"There’s a passage behind that wall."

"There is now."

She grabbed the front of his coat. "Open it.