Chapter 22 · Her Mother's Last Pulse

"Drop the cutter, Tessa." Cael caught her wrist a breath before the silver blade hit his chest.

She drove her free hand into his throat. He slammed into the brick wall hard enough to shake dust from the old relay station.

"Let go."

"Not while you're holding a live heartlock against my ribs."

"You think I care about your ribs?"

"No. I think you care about answers."

His grip tightened. Not enough to hurt. More than enough to remind her that he was stronger, faster, and one bad pulse away from bringing the whole building down around them.

The cutter trembled between their bodies.

Behind Cael, the relay chamber shrieked with static. Red warning lights flashed across the walls. Metal boots pounded up the stairs.

Wardens.

More than one squad.

Tessa leaned closer. Her breath brushed his jaw. "You knew my mother."

Cael's eyes went flat. "I knew what she did."

"That's not what I asked."

"Then ask better."

She twisted her wrist. He moved with her, turning her into the opposite wall. His body blocked the only clear path to the exit. Heat pressed through his shirt.