Chapter 17 · The Tenth Lock

"Don't touch me." Lena slapped Cade's hand away from the golden cable burning through her chest.

The hit barely moved him.

He caught her wrist before she could reach for the lock again. His fingers clamped down, hard and hot against her freezing skin.

"You're not cutting the link," he said.

"Watch me."

"Lena."

"Let go."

The ninth lock pulsed beneath the core platform.

Every beat sent white-hot pain through her ribs. Her knees buckled, but Cade dragged her against him before she hit the metal.

His armor scraped across her coat. His breath brushed her temple, rough and uneven. He smelled like iron, burned spellwork, and the bitter smoke leaking from the core.

"You're bleeding through the bond," he said.

"I'm aware."

"Then stop fighting it."

She drove her elbow into his side.

Cade grunted but didn't release her. "That was a terrible argument."

"I wasn't arguing. I was trying to break your ribs."

"Try harder."

The platform lurched.

A shockwave ripped through the chamber, throwing strips of silver metal into the air. Cade twisted, putting his back between her and the blast.