Chapter 15 · Her Brother’s Heartbeat

"The shield core is eating him!" Niko shouted.

Tessa slammed into the metal hatch. It buckled under her shoulder, but it didn't open. A pulse blasted through the floor and dropped her to one knee.

Cael caught the back of her jacket before her face hit concrete. His palm burned through the fabric.

"Move," he said.

"I'm trying. Unless you've got a secret door in your pocket."

"I've got a better idea."

Blue-white lines flashed beneath his skin and raced up his arm.

Tessa grabbed his wrist. "No."

"Your brother's trapped behind that door."

"And you're about to dump your power into the shield core. Last time you did that, half a tower came down."

Cael leaned in. His breath brushed her cheek. His body blocked her from the shaking corridor, but his eyes stayed fixed on the hatch.

"Last time, you weren't holding my pulse."

The heartlock answered before she could speak.

One brutal beat struck inside her chest.

Then another struck inside his.

Same rhythm. Same pain.

Tessa shoved him back. "Don't make this my choice."

"It already is.