Chapter 36 · The Second Lock

I tore free of Kane's grip.

"Mara did it."

Kane caught my wrist before I could take a second step. "Evelyn—"

"She opened the lock. She let him in."

"The echo is wearing a face you know."

"It showed me the key."

"It showed you whatever would make you stop thinking."

I shoved his chest.

My palm struck his injured side. Pain cut across his face before he buried it.

"You think I'm stupid?"

"No. I think you're hurt."

"You think you can keep touching me and call it protection?"

His fingers stayed locked around my wrist, but the pressure eased.

"I think if I let you go, the echo gets deeper."

"Then let it try."

The crystal cylinder cracked.

A thin red line crawled from its base to the top. The sound was small. Almost delicate.

Kane's eyes snapped toward it. "Get behind me."

"Not this time."

"Evelyn, move."

"Don't order me around."

"I'm not ordering you. I'm trying to keep you alive."

Across the chamber, Venn slammed both hands against the council seal.

"Activate the chamber!"

The guards obeyed.

The floor kicked under our feet.

A pipe burst behind the council dais.