Chapter 51 · The Core's Choice

"Don't look at him."

Silas pressed the spearpoint against my heart.

Cold metal kissed my skin.

"Look at me, Mara." His grip tightened. "You wanted the truth? Your brother's alive because the core is using his blood to hold the shield together. Shut it down, and he dies. Keep it running, and the city survives."

My breath caught.

Behind Silas, Dorian stood against a stone pillar. Blood ran from his cheek to his jaw. He didn't wipe it away.

He only watched me.

"You don't know that," I said.

"I built the channel." Silas tipped the spear. The point bit deeper. "I know exactly what happens next."

Dorian pushed away from the pillar. "You built nothing. You stole the council's authority and hid behind that shield."

Silas's mouth pulled tight. "And you still think authority is something you can take back?"

The spear jerked.

I moved first.

I grabbed the hunter beside me and yanked it in front of my body.

Silas drove the blade forward.

Black armor crushed my ribs. Metal dug into my back.