Chapter 8 · Her Brother's Name

"Don't touch me." Mara caught Calder's wrist before his hand closed around hers. "You don't get to grab me and call it protection. Not after what you hid."

The floor split another inch beneath their boots.

Calder's fingers tightened anyway. His palm was hot against her skin, his grip hard enough to bruise. Below them, the broken clock tower groaned around the contract engine. Something under the metal platform kept breathing in Calder's voice.

"You can yell at me after we move," he said. "Right now, that thing wants you below it."

"It wants you. It has your name."

"It has a name wearing my face. Big difference."

The crack snapped wider.

Mara's heel slipped. Calder hauled her against his chest, one arm locking around her ribs while the other caught the edge of the platform. Her shoulder slammed into him. She felt the sharp rise of his breath near her ear.

"Let go," she hissed.

"No."

"Calder."

"Still no."

The platform dropped.

He dragged her sideways as the metal gave way beneath them. A jagged plate tore through the sole of her boot.