Chapter 27 · The Heartlock Bridge

"Tell me what his power is for, or I swear I'll tear this whole altar apart."

Tessa shoved the broken warden's blade beneath Cael Arden's father's chin.

Her other hand stayed pressed against the blue energy column trapping Eli. Heat punched through her glove. Behind the light, Eli slammed both fists against the invisible wall.

"Tessa! Don't listen to him!"

"I can't get you out!" she shouted. "The core locked every release!"

Three steps away, Cael clutched his chest.

Their shared heartbeat pounded through her ribs. Fast. Hard. Wrong.

His father smiled at the blade.

"You still think this is about killing one boy?" he asked. "That's adorable."

Tessa pushed the edge closer. A thin line of red appeared beneath his jaw.

"Try me."

"Put the knife down."

"No."

"Then watch what happens to your brother."

The blue column tightened around Eli.

He cried out and dropped to one knee.

"Stop it!" Tessa grabbed the warden by his collar and hauled him toward the control rail. "Shut it down!"

The warden coughed blood onto his sleeve. "I can't. The command belongs to Arden."

"Which Arden?"

He pointed with a shaking hand.

"The one standing in the circle.