Chapter 8 · The Wall Between

"Stop."

Iris's hand locked around my wrist before I could touch the last door. Her fingers were cold, tight enough to bruise.

"Let go," I said.

"You don't want what's in there."

"You don't get to tell me what I want."

She didn't let go. I could feel her pulse against my skin, fast and hard. The hallway behind us was quiet now, the riot sounds gone, but the air still tasted like smoke and old blood. The door in front of us was different from the others. No peeling paint. No rust. Just smooth black wood, cold enough that I could feel it from three feet away.

"Cade." Her voice dropped. "Please."

"You kissed me to shut me up last time," I said. "That gonna work again?"

Her jaw tightened. "Don't."

"Then tell me what's behind the door."

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both." She stepped between me and the door, her back against it. "You open this, the curse wins. You understand? It wins."

"The curse already won," I said. "I've died four times this week.