Chapter 44 · Don't touch it!

The shard flared so violently that Sylvia dropped the crossbow. She hit the floor on both knees, clawing at her coat.

Cassian was beside her at once. His hand pressed over the burning mark, and his power crashed through her body.

"Don't touch it!" she yelled.

"You're going to rupture."

"Then let me!"

"No."

"You don't own me!"

His face came down close to hers. His eyes burned black.

"You're not dying on me."

The words struck harder than the pain.

Sylvia stopped fighting for one breath.

Cassian used it. He pulled her against him, one arm around her back, the other braced over the shard. His chest pressed to hers through their coats. His breath shook against her hair.

"Listen to me," he said. "The shard is mine, but your body has claimed it. I can't drag it out. You have to send it back."

"How?"

"Open the door in your mind."

"Last time I did that, you showed me a murder."

"This time, I'll show you the way out."

"And what do you take in return?"

His thumb moved once against her ribs. "Everything you don't give me willingly."

"That sounds exactly like a threat."

"It is.