Chapter 23 · The Grid's Refusal

"Rowan. Look at me."

I tried. The tower lurched sideways, though the floor stayed still.

"I'm looking."

"No, you're not." Lyra grabbed my shoulder. Her glove was slick with rain, soot, and Vey's blood. "You're looking at whatever that thing wants you to see. Stay here. Stay with me."

Behind her, the white-gold circle beneath the cracked floor brightened. Gears the size of houses turned below us. Dormant conduits ignited through the walls, sending rivers of blue fire toward the core.

Pip screamed.

The storm-beast stood between us and the stairwell, antlers blazing. Wind tore through the chamber. Its injured flank shuddered, but it planted all four paws and lowered its head toward the machine.

A jagged bolt struck its antlers.

Pip absorbed it with a howl.

"Pip!" I shoved myself upright.

The force in my blood slammed me back down. My vision filled with images that weren't mine—floating islands joined by luminous threads, towers rising from cloudbanks, bridges made of condensed lightning.

A crowned figure stood above the whole system with one hand raised.

The figure turned.

It had my face.

I tore free with a gasp.

The core spoke through the chamber.

"HEIR OF THE FIRST GRID.