Chapter 41 · Take It From Her

"Take it from her." Calian shoved my wrist toward the oath-mark. "Now, Lia. Before it reaches your heart."

"You want me to cut off my own hand?"

"I want you alive."

"Funny. You keep saying that while trying to tear me apart."

The black mark burned around my wrist, tight as a wire. Every pulse sent a hot line up my arm and under my ribs. Calian had one hand locked around mine. His other pressed against the stone bridge, holding back the black water boiling below us.

The bridge shook hard enough to knock my knees together.

Behind us, the outer passage had split open. Ahead, the core gate stood across the broken span, its bronze doors sealed under layers of old oath-script. The only way through was the bridge. The only problem was that the bridge was coming down piece by piece.

And Calian was still trying to make me pay for his command.

"Let go," I snapped.

His jaw tightened. "No."

"Then stop telling me to cut myself."

"The mark is feeding on you.