Chapter 13 · The Eye Below

"Don't touch him!" Ivy slammed her shoulder into Cade just as black light punched through the stone beneath his boots.

The tower floor cracked.

Cade hit the wall hard enough to shake loose a rain of dust. His hand caught Ivy's coat and jerked her back before the split opened between them.

"Move!"

"You first."

The floor buckled again. A ring of black glass shoved up from below, dragging red chains of light with it.

Cade's fingers clamped around her wrist. Hot. Brutal. "I said move."

"And I said let go."

"You want to argue while the tower eats us?"

"I want to know why it only screams when you get close."

His jaw locked.

That pause told her enough.

The broken floor dropped another inch.

Cade hauled her against him and jumped.

They hit the narrow ledge circling the tower's inner shaft. Ivy's back slammed into his armor. His forearm locked across her ribs, holding her steady while broken stone and black sparks plunged into the darkness below.

His breath brushed her cheek. Warm. Too close.

His heartbeat battered against her shoulder.

"Get off me," she said.

"Give me one good reason."

"I have several. Most involve stabbing you."