Chapter 28 · Don't let it choose for you

The next boom knocked me flat.

The signpost flew from my hand. My shoulder struck the pavement. A wave of heat rolled over me, dragging at my skin like invisible fingers.

The thing inside me woke all the way.

Black marks spread from my wrist to my elbow.

No. Not black.

They were tiny doors.

Something moved behind them.

"Talia!" Riven shouted.

I heard him, but his voice came from far away. The street had become a mouth. Every brick had a pulse. Every broken window watched me.

The power under the district pushed into my palm.

I could take it.

I could rip the whole road open and pull myself across.

I could take Riven's fire while I was at it.

The thought came too easily.

"Don't let it choose for you," Riven said.

I forced my head up. "You can hear it?"

"I can see what it's doing to you."

"Then tell me how to stop it."

"Stop asking permission."

"That isn't an answer."

"It doesn't want your body. It wants your decision."

"You sound very sure."

"I'm sure because it tried to take mine."

The street buckled again.