Chapter 13 · Then stay close and suffer

"Then stay close and suffer."

"You think I won't?"

His voice cut through the room. Not loud. Worse. Certain.

For one second, his forehead rested against mine. His breath came hot against my lips. I could feel the uneven beat of his heart through his shirt, too fast and too hard.

"You want me dead," he whispered. "Say it again. Look at me and say it."

I stared into his silver eyes.

"I want you to stop lying."

"That's not what I asked."

"Move."

"Say it."

"I want you dead."

His hand tightened at my side.

"No, you don't."

The words should have made me slap him. Instead, they hit somewhere lower, somewhere I didn't want him touching.

I shoved my palm into his chest.

The stolen fire answered.

It tore out of him and rushed into me.

Riven shouted. The sound turned raw as his body arched. Black lines flashed over his skin. My hand locked to his chest, fingers burning against the fabric.

"Talia, stop!"

"I can't."

"You can. Pull away."

"I'm trying!"

The core behind us cracked.

A thin line split the glass from top to bottom. Black light poured through it and wrapped around my wrist.