Chapter 68 · Listen to me

He cupped my face. His palm was rough and hot against my cheek. I tried to turn away, but he held me there.

"Listen to me," he said. "The council built the core to transfer guardian oaths. If it takes yours, it won't close the rift. It will give the rift a new guardian."

"Me."

"Yes."

"And you?"

"Dead, if I'm lucky. Bound to it, if I'm not."

"You call that a plan?"

"I call it the only one that doesn't put your hands on the blade."

"You don't get to choose that either."

"I do when the choice is between your life and mine."

"You think I want yours?"

His thumb dragged across my cheek, catching sweat and dust.

"You want the city alive."

"I want the truth."

"You want both."

"Then help me get both."

For one breath, he just stared at me.

The rift flashed overhead. His face went pale under the black light. Blood ran from his nose and dotted my wrist.

I wiped it with my thumb.

"You're bleeding."

"So are you.