Chapter 7 · The Bloodline Signature

"What the hell are you doing?"

Cassian stopped at the core door and dragged his palm across the edge of his blade.

The cut opened fast.

Blood ran over his fingers and dripped onto the blue-lit lock.

"Sharing the tide," he said.

"Absolutely not."

Three circular seals turned inside the metal. Each carried a different commander's mark. Blue light crawled over them, searching for a way in.

Cassian held out his hand. "Without a linked current, the core rejects us both."

"Then find someone else."

His eyes locked on mine. "Everyone else is outside the tower."

"Not my problem."

"You're the only one the engine accepted."

My stomach dropped. "You mean I'm the only one you can use."

"Yes."

The answer hit harder than any insult.

I stepped back. Cassian caught my wrist before I could get away.

"Let go."

"Hold still."

He pulled me close and smeared his blood across my palm. Hot. Wet. His fingers closed around mine before I could wipe it off.

"Cassian—"

"If we don't open that door, the lower wards drown."

"And if this kills me?"

"It won't."

"You sound very sure for a man who rejected me to protect a political alliance.