Chapter 26 · You know enough to be scared

"You know enough to be scared."

"I'm not scared."

"Your hand is shaking."

Selene looked down.

Her fingers had started to tremble.

The guards reached the broken doorway.

"Open the chamber!" someone shouted.

Selene released Tess's wrists and pulled her up by the collar. Tess stumbled into her. Their chests knocked together, and Selene's hand closed around Tess's waist to keep her standing.

The contact sent another pulse through both of them.

[SYNC RATE: 63%.]

Tess's heart slammed once.

Selene's heart answered.

Not at the same time. A beat later.

Then again.

Thump.

Thump.

Tess stared at Selene's throat. Selene stared at Tess's face.

"Tell me that wasn't you," Tess whispered.

"It wasn't."

"Your heart just copied mine."

"The link is mirroring physical rhythm."

"That sounds like a you problem."

"It becomes your problem if the guards scan us."

"So what? We hide?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

Selene looked toward the narrow space behind the fallen inspection table. It was barely wide enough for one person. Two would have to press together.

Tess laughed once. "Absolutely not."

"Then stand in the open and let them classify you."

"You said you could stop them."

"I can stop one guard. Maybe two.