Chapter 50 · The Dais Takes Its Price

"Mara, move!"

Dorian slammed into me just as the control dais fired.

White power ripped across the chamber. It struck the stone where my chest had been and split the floor all the way to the council benches.

His shoulder drove me back. One arm locked around my waist, hot through my torn coat. His other hand shoved the broken half of his blade between us.

"You were aiming at me," I snapped.

"I was aiming at the dais."

"You missed."

"You were standing in the way."

The chamber bucked beneath us. Dust rained from the ceiling. The black-iron dais pulsed blue, every flash stabbing under my ribs.

My half-formed moon mark burned against my skin.

Dorian felt it. His fingers tightened around my waist.

"Let go."

"Not while that thing is feeding on you."

"You don't get to decide that anymore."

His jaw clenched. "Then tell me what you want me to do.