Chapter 24 · The Last Ember Clause

The ring hit the stone and spun straight toward the fire.

Nora lunged. Caden caught her around the waist before her fingers could close around the band. Heat punched up from the crack between them, hot enough to blister her knuckles.

"Let go."

"Not while the floor is trying to eat you."

The chamber kicked hard. A line of red split across the black stone, racing beneath their boots. Somewhere below, metal screamed. Selene’s voice slid through the speakers again, calm and bright like she was announcing a charity gala instead of the end of the city.

"Nora, listen to me. The core is open. Your brother is alive. For now."

Nora stopped fighting Caden. Not because she trusted him. Because Selene had said Milo’s name without saying it.

"Put him on."

Caden’s arm tightened. "Don’t answer her."

"I said put him on."

A wet cough crackled through the speakers. Then Milo’s voice came through, thin and shaking.

"Nora? Don’t—don’t come down here."

Her lungs forgot how to work.

"Milo. Where are you?"

"I’m okay. I’m—" A sharp breath. A muffled grunt. "Nora, run."

The line cut.

The floor slammed up under them.