Chapter 11 · I thought you wanted me to

"I thought you wanted me to."

"Not now."

"Make up your mind."

"I am."

The stolen fire poured into me, then curled back through the pact. My vision jumped. The relic flashed silver, and the black wound on Riven's side began to close.

The life counter dropped again.

39.

"Damn you," he whispered.

"You're welcome."

"You just gave me your power."

"I borrowed it first."

"You could have died."

"You keep saying that like it's news."

The guards forced the door another inch. A blue-gloved hand reached through.

Riven twisted, still holding my waist. "Get behind me."

"You can barely stand."

"I can stand long enough to kill three of them."

"And then what? Kill the rest while I pay for every second?"

"You have a better plan?"

I shoved the silver relic deeper into the gate.

The runes flared so bright they burned white.

"Yes. Open the damn door."

"It won't open until the pact recognizes us."

"It already recognizes us. It stole two years from me."

"That's not what I mean."

"Then explain while I'm saving your life."

"It needs a choice."

"We just chose."

"You chose for both of us."

"You were busy being stabbed.