Chapter 27 · Inside Ten Steps

"If you take one more step, I swear I'll cut the leash myself." The street split under my boots before I could back away.

The pavement folded like wet paper. A row of brick houses bent inward, windows stretching into black mouths. Heat punched up through the crack and wrapped around my ankles.

Riven stopped on the other side of the break.

His coat was torn at the shoulder. Blood ran from his temple, bright against his skin. Black fire crawled beneath his throat in thin, angry lines.

"Talia." His voice stayed low. Too calm. That was never a good sign. "Move away from the edge."

"Great plan. You first."

"I can't cross."

"Then stay there."

The crack widened between us with a grinding snap. A car slid sideways into the gap. It dropped nose-first, metal shrieking until the fire below swallowed it.

Riven's jaw tightened.

"The district is burning through the life grid," he said. "Every second you stay inside that fold costs you."

"I noticed the burning part."

"Your pulse is already slowing."

I glanced at my hand. The fingers were shaking. Not from fear. From the pale lines crawling up my wrist.