Chapter 18 · The Memory Key

"Get out of my head, Elias!" Ivy's fingers snapped toward Cade's throat.

Cade caught her wrist before her nails touched skin. His other hand clamped onto her shoulder and slammed her against the cracked stone beside the black doorway.

The chain between their life-links went taut.

Heat tore across both their wrists.

"Ivy." Cade's face hovered inches from hers. His breath brushed her cheek. "Look at me. Not him. Me."

Her mouth curved.

It wasn't her smile.

"Still giving her orders?" Elias asked through her lips. "You always did mistake a cage for protection."

Cade's jaw flexed. "Give her back."

"Ask nicely."

"Elias, you've got three seconds before I break your hold."

"You had eleven years to break it." His voice curled through Ivy's throat. "You left me in the seal."

"You told me to leave."

"I told you to bring help."

"There was no help left."

"You didn't even look back."

The words hit harder than the wall.

Ivy's vision snapped sideways.

A narrow chamber flashed into view beneath the academy. A younger Cade stood beside a sealed door, blood running down his temple.