Chapter 23 · Make the Enforcer Kill

"Get away from him, Lena. Now."

Evelyn yanked the blood-soaked lever. Cade's knees slammed into the stone.

Lena caught him before his face hit the floor. His weight crashed into her shoulder. Hot, uneven breath scraped her neck while black lines crawled up his hand toward his wrist.

"You said he was your spare key," Lena snapped. "So why is he dying?"

Evelyn smiled beside the machine. Cade's blood ran through three glass channels and vanished beneath the floor.

"Because a key has to turn."

"Try using your own hand."

"Mine won't open the ninth door. His will."

Cade shoved away from Lena and forced himself upright. His face had gone gray, but his grip locked around her arm.

"Don't listen to her."

"Wasn't planning to."

"You always say that right before doing something reckless."

"And you always say that right before getting stabbed. We both have habits."

The machine answered with a deep metallic groan.

The floor split beneath them.

Lena dragged Cade backward. A line of red light snapped across the stone where his boot had been.