Chapter 25 · The Second Heart

"Tessa, move!"

Cael hit her a heartbeat before the core exploded.

The lockpick flew from her hand. White energy ripped across the chamber and hurled them into the curved wall. Her shoulder struck first. Cael took the rest with his back, one arm clamped around her waist.

Then his heartbeat stopped.

Not slowed.

Stopped.

Tessa shoved at his chest. "Cael?"

His head dropped against her shoulder. He went limp, hot and heavy, while the core screamed above them.

"Cael! Look at me."

Nothing.

The city broadcast crackled through the chamber speakers.

Lord Arden's voice slid through the static. "The heartlock has failed. Step away from my son, Tessa Rook. The sacrifice will continue. Resist, and the tower collapses with all three of you inside it."

Tessa's fingers flew to Cael's throat.

No pulse.

Her own heart slammed against the bond between them. The empty space where his rhythm should've answered felt worse than pain.

"You did this," she snapped at the speaker. "You knew the lock would kill him."

"You activated the severance device. Not I."

"You strapped my brother to a machine and called it a ceremony. Don't start hiding behind rules now."

The platform bucked.