Chapter 75 · Get Out of My Way

Another blast slammed through the chamber. The execution order on the wall flashed red.

EXECUTION WINDOW: SIX MINUTES.

Six minutes until the council sent armed divers into the tower. Six minutes until the lower wards lost their last barrier.

I took one step toward the master core.

Cassian blocked me.

"No."

"Get out of my way."

"I said no."

"And I heard you." I shoved both hands against his chest. "I just don't care."

His coat scraped under my palms. His heartbeat punched against them, fast and hard.

So much for the commander who always had an answer.

Cassian caught my wrist.

The burn across my palm split open. Blood slipped between my fingers.

His eyes dropped to it.

"You're losing feeling."

"Then stop staring and do something."

His grip tightened. "If I bind my tide to yours, I can take some of the damage."

My breath snagged.

"You rejected me."

"I know."

"You stood in front of the entire harbor and called our bond a mistake."

His jaw locked. "I lied."

The words hit harder than the next explosion.

His thumb brushed the edge of my wound. Careful. Almost gentle.

My body remembered that touch anyway.