Chapter 10 · Don't Open That Door

Vera laughed from the ash door before either of us touched it.

Not a big villain laugh. Worse. Soft. Like she was standing on the other side of our apartment door and knew exactly how long we'd been arguing.

"There you are," she said. "I was starting to think the boy had swallowed both of you."

Micah jerked against the seat beside me.

His fingers clawed at the dirty train floor. Ash spilled from under his nails. His eyes had gone black again, all pupil, no Micah.

I grabbed his wrist anyway.

"Micah. Hey. Stay with me."

His skin was freezing.

Elias caught my shoulder before I could lean too close to the open door. "Nora. Don't let it pull you."

I looked at him.

Blood had dried down one side of his face. His shirt was soaked through near his ribs. He looked pale enough to drop, but his hand stayed locked around my shoulder.

"You knew this thing could open wherever it wanted," I said.

"I knew Vera could use the train." His jaw tightened. "I didn't know she'd get here this fast."

"That isn't what I asked.