Chapter 58 · The Broken Coupling

"Mara! Don't let go!"

Dorian's fingers scraped across mine as the rear car tore away from the engine.

The coupling snapped with a bang that punched through my chest. Metal screamed. The floor dropped under my boots, and the gap between the cars opened wide enough to swallow me.

I caught the roof's edge with one hand.

The iron case strapped to my ribs slammed into the side panel. My shoulder popped. For one stupid second, I hung there above the racing rails while Dorian reached through the engine-cab doorway.

"Give me your wrist!" he shouted.

"That's what I'm doing!"

"You're slipping!"

"I noticed!"

His palm closed around mine. Heat shot up my arm. His grip was rough, tight, and shaking despite the way he tried to hide it.

The engine lurched forward.

My body swung over the gap. The iron case dragged at my belt, its strap cutting into my waist. Below me, the rails blurred into silver lines. Behind me, the severed car bucked and spat sparks.

Ahead, armored plates slammed shut along the engine.

The train had armed its defenses.

"Pull me up!" I yelled.

"I'm trying."

"Try harder, Vale!"

"Stop fighting me.