Chapter 51 · The Other Evelyn

"Evelyn, stay back!"

"Go to hell!"

I lunged and caught Kane's hand.

The contract detonated between our palms.

Pain tore up my arm. Red light burst beneath Kane's shirt, carving the seal across his skin. His chest jerked. One sharp sound escaped him before he crushed it between his teeth.

"You felt that," I gasped.

"I felt you."

His fingers locked around mine.

"That isn't better."

"I wasn't trying to make it better."

The breach dragged harder. Kane's boots scraped across the stone. He drove his free hand down, stabbing his blade into the floor, but the metal bent under the pull.

"Let go," he said.

"No."

"If you stay connected, it takes both of us."

"You said the contract might let me go."

"I was wrong."

I stared at him. "You admit that now?"

"Evelyn!"

His voice cracked on my name.

That did it.

Not the blood. Not the floor splitting beneath us.

His voice.

I stepped closer and grabbed his wrist with both hands.

"Look at me."

"Don't."

"Look at me, Kane."

He did.

His face was inches from mine. Blood darkened the corner of his mouth.