Chapter 20 · Mara, stop!

I ran.

Dorian swore and followed.

"Mara, stop!"

"Catch me."

I grabbed the ladder and climbed toward the signal tower bolted above the rail junction. Wind ripped at my coat. Oil slicked the metal rungs, and the train shook beneath every step.

Dorian climbed right behind me.

"You keep running from me," he called, "and one day I'm gonna take that as a personal insult."

"You should."

"I already do."

I reached the upper platform and kicked the tower door.

It didn't move.

A heavy lock had been thrown from the inside.

"Move," Dorian said.

"I'm working."

"You're hitting it with your shoulder. That's not working."

"Then use your rank and order it open."

"My rank doesn't open steel."

He stepped around me, planted one boot against the frame, and drove his shoulder into the door. The lock groaned. His arm brushed mine when he reset his stance.

"Again," I said.

"Say please."

"Break the damn door, Officer Husband."

His mouth pulled tight. "That'll do."

He hit it again.

The bolt tore loose.