Chapter 30 · The train will reach judgment. You won't be on it as commander

Rusk stepped closer. "The train will reach judgment. You won't be on it as commander."

"If you detach the lead cars, the rear brake system fails," Dorian said. "The whole line rolls straight into the ravine."

"You're bluffing."

"I'm not."

I looked at Rusk. "He redesigned the brake network after the last mountain run. Cut the command car, and the pressure won't equalize."

Rusk pointed his pistol at me. "And you know this because?"

"Because I was the engineer who tested it."

Dorian's shoulder pressed against mine again as he tried to put his body between the gun and my ribs.

"Move away from her," Rusk ordered.

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

"I still have a body. You'll have to move it."

The pistol lifted until the barrel touched the underside of Dorian's chin.

My breath caught.

"Dorian."

"Don't."

"You can't win this by being brave."

"Good thing I'm not trying to win."

His eyes held mine.

His rank was gone. His insignia was on the floor. No one in that carriage had to obey him anymore.

He still stood in front of me.

Rusk leaned close.