Chapter 40 · You keep saying that

"You keep saying that."

"Because every time you touch something in this train, it tries to wake up."

"Maybe it knows more than you do."

"Maybe it wants us trapped."

"Then we should find out who built the trap."

His thumb brushed the side of my finger. The contact was brief, accidental, and still enough to send a hot tremor through the pact.

Kade's gaze lifted to mine. "You felt that."

"I felt the lock react."

"Same thing."

"Don't make it something it isn't."

"You keep saying that, too."

I pulled free and grabbed the key.

The train lights died.

For three seconds, the only light came from Kade's chest and the pale bodies outside. Then the compartment floor split open with a hard mechanical clack.

A narrow ladder dropped into darkness.

"That wasn't on the route map," Kade said.

"The route map was fake."

"You knew that?"

"I suspected."

"You suspect a lot for someone who claims not to remember this place."

I climbed down before he could stop me. The ladder shook beneath my boots.