Chapter 7 · A Voice in the Bell

"Don't touch it, Mara!"

Cael’s voice cracked like a whip, but I was already lunging. My fingers brushed the cold, humming surface of the core.

*Zap.*

Static electricity slammed through my arm, throwing me backward. I hit the stone floor hard. The air left my lungs in a pathetic wheeze.

"Get away from the damn thing!"

Cael was on me in a heartbeat. He didn't help me up. He pinned my shoulders to the grit, his weight crushing me down. His eyes were wild, searching mine—looking for a sign that I was already gone.

"I heard him," I gasped, clutching his forearm. His skin was hot. I could feel his pulse hammering against my palm. "Leo. He’s inside. He’s calling me!"

Cael didn't budge. He leaned in, face inches from mine. I could smell blood and old leather.

"That’s not your brother," he hissed. "It’s a lure, you idiot. It feeds on whatever you want most. Right now? It wants you to plug back in."

"You don't know that!" I tried to buck him off. "You don't know anything about him!"

"I know you've died six times in the last hour," Cael snapped. His grip tightened, bruising.