Chapter 26 · The Core Chooses

"Don't look back."

Cade's chains snapped tight around his wrists and dragged him toward the first execution pillar.

Lena planted both boots against the rising platform. The execution blade shook in her grip. Its tip was still buried in the white shard lodged beneath Cade's torn coat.

His blood ran down the metal and burned cold across her fingers.

"You don't get to say that and walk away!" she shouted.

Cade twisted hard enough to wrench one shoulder out of place. The chain hauled him forward anyway. His face tightened, but he didn't make a sound.

"Lena. Listen to me."

"I've listened to you die eight times. I'm done taking advice."

The first pillar slammed into place behind him.

Iron arms unfolded from its sides and clamped over his shoulders. White light crawled across his skin, tracing the same lines that had appeared every time the Order took control of him.

Above the chamber, Evelyn Shaw's voice spilled from every speaker.

"Welcome to the ninth execution. The entire city is watching."

Lena looked up.

Hundreds of black mirrors hung in the air. Each one showed a different street. A different building.