Chapter 14 · If this kills me, don't let them take the core

She looked at him.

"If this kills me, don't let them take the core."

"Don't talk like you're already dead."

"If it takes my memories, don't fill in the blanks for me."

"Kade."

"If I forget you—"

Her fingers clenched beneath his hand.

"You won't."

"You don't know that."

"I said you won't."

His expression changed. Barely. The corner of his mouth tightened, and his eyes dropped to where their hands met.

"There she is," he murmured.

"What?"

"The woman who makes promises she can't keep."

Ayla leaned closer until her forehead touched his.

"I can keep this one."

"Then say it."

The company door split with a shriek.

Ayla drove her power through the lock.

Pain tore through both of them.

Kade's arms closed around her. His chest hit hers. She heard him gasp beside her ear, then felt his teeth clamp down on the sound.

The heart-core erupted in red light.

Ayla held on.

The first ring broke.

The train car shook so hard that loose bolts rained from the ceiling. The company agents shouted beyond the ruined door.