Chapter 20 · The Old Control Well

Dorian's hand slammed over mine before I could rip his seal from the control plate.

"Don't touch it."

"You dragged my hand here."

"Because you're the only one who can break the loop."

The core shrieked beneath our palms. Red numbers burned across the black glass.

NINE.

The chamber bucked.

My boots flew off the floor. I slammed into Dorian's chest, and his arm locked around my waist before my skull met the wall.

Heat soaked through his shirt. His heart pounded against my cheek.

I shoved him away. "Get off me."

"Stand up first."

"I said get off."

He let go, but his fingers dragged across my ribs before falling away.

That tiny touch hit my rejected mark like a live wire.

My body still knew him.

Damn it.

So did his.

Dorian turned back to the control plate. Blood ran from his wrist into the grooves around his trapped seal. Every pulse fed the core. Every pulse dragged the red number lower.

EIGHT.

I pointed at his wrist. "Your blood is powering the kill code."

"I know.