Chapter 10 · Deadly Resonance

"Don't run." Rowan's hand locked around Tessa's wrist as the elevator doors split open. Blue fire poured through the corridor, hot enough to blister the metal walls.

"That was your order?" Tessa yanked against him. "You drag me into a death trap, then tell me not to run?"

"I said don't run. I didn't say stand still."

The blind executioner stepped into the elevator's mouth.

Its face was smooth gray skin, no eyes, no nose, no mouth. A cracked Meridian seal burned in the center of its chest. The same shape had flashed across the dead thing's ribs below. The same mark that had made Rowan go pale.

The creature raised one arm.

Blue flame snapped across the corridor and struck the elevator floor. The metal buckled under Tessa's boots.

Rowan shoved her behind him.

"Stay back."

"Move."

"Tessa."

"If you block me again, I'll break your nose."

He glanced over his shoulder. His face was hard, but his fingers were still wrapped around her wrist. His thumb pressed against her pulse, counting every frantic beat.

"You can try."

"I already did. You remember the knife?"

"I remember you putting it through my hand.