Chapter 40 · You know what it does

He didn't answer.

His silence told me enough.

"You know what it does."

"I know what it might do."

"Same thing."

"No."

"Then say it."

The platform jolted again. Calian's body slammed into mine. His chest hit my shoulder, and his arm came around my waist to keep us from going over the edge.

His blood soaked into my shirt.

His mouth brushed my temple when he swore.

"The third command transfers the sacrifice," he said.

My stomach dropped. "To who?"

"The person who speaks it."

"Me."

"Yes."

"So the oath kills me instead."

"It may."

"You knew."

"I suspected."

"You knew enough to stop me."

"I am stopping you."

He dragged me backward.

The ring pulled forward.

For one sharp second, our bodies locked between two forces. His arm crushed around my waist. My fingers stayed clamped over the control ring. His breath burned against my neck.

"Let me go," I said.

"Not happening."

"You can't overpower the core."

"I don't need to. I need to overpower you."

"Try it."

His eyes dropped to my mouth.

It was quick.