Chapter 36 · Look at me

She forced the pact wider.

Pain ripped through her spine. Her breath vanished. Kade caught the back of her head before it struck the wall.

"No!" he shouted.

The silver in his eye shattered into gray.

His hand slid behind her neck. He held her close, forehead pressed to hers.

"Look at me," he said.

She tried. His face blurred.

"Ayla, look at me."

"I'm looking."

"You can't even focus."

"Still counts."

"You stubborn—"

"Say something useful."

His mouth trembled. "Don't die for me."

The words landed harder than his power.

He pulled back just enough to see her. "Do you hear me? Don't spend your soul on mine."

"It's not yours."

"It is when it's inside me."

"You didn't ask for it."

"Neither did you."

"I'm choosing."

"Choose something else."

"Like what? Let you tear the city open?"

"Let me take the hit."

"You already are."

"Then let me finish it."

He broke free.

Not from her grip. From the contract.

The force blasted Ayla backward. She hit the rail platform and slid across the concrete.