Chapter 8 · The Anchor

"Don't move." Mara's hand locked around Jace's wrist before he could step toward the console.

He twisted to face her. "What the hell are you doing? Lily's down there."

"I know." Her grip didn't loosen. "And if you walk into that core, you die."

"Silas said—"

"Silas lies." She pulled him back a step, putting herself between him and the glowing tunnel entrance. The blue light from the core chamber painted shadows under her eyes. "You really think he's telling you the truth now?"

Jace jerked his arm free. "He said I'm the anchor. That if I get close enough, the loop breaks and everyone walks out."

"Yeah." Mara's voice went flat. "After it rips you apart."

The words hung between them. Jace stared at her, then at the tunnel, then back. "How do you know that?"

She didn't answer right away. Her jaw worked like she was chewing through something bitter. Finally she reached into her jacket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, edges singed.

"What is that?"

"The file Silas didn't want me to see." She held it out. "Read it."

Jace took it. The paper was warm, still smelling like smoke.