Chapter 18 · Broken Flashes

"Don't touch that door." Calder caught Mara by the back of her coat and yanked her away as the metal latch began to turn. "Unless you want to open it for whatever is wearing your brother's face."

Mara hit his chest hard enough to make his shoulder strike the wall. "Let go of me."

"Not happening."

"Calder."

"You heard him too."

The voice behind the door came again.

"Mara?"

It sounded like Eli. Same rough edge. Same tiny catch before her name, like he had to pull it through a damaged throat.

Mara's fingers clawed at Calder's wrist. His skin was hot against hers. Too hot. His pulse slammed under her thumb, fast and uneven, and the scar circling her wrist answered with a sharp burn.

"That's my brother," she said.

"No. That's a trap using your brother's voice."

"You don't get to decide that."

"I do when the room behind the door is eating seconds." Calder pressed her back against the wall and leaned close enough that his breath brushed her cheek. "Look at the hinge."

Mara looked.

The hinge was moving backward.

Not opening.