Chapter 19 · The Charge Inside Him

"Move!" Carson shoved me away from the blast door as the metal folded inward. "The next hit brings it down."

"You can barely stand."

"And you can barely listen. Grab the shield key."

Another impact rattled the maintenance bay. Dust spilled from the ceiling. The dead control panels spat sparks, then went black.

Carson braced one hand against his chest. Black lines crawled beneath his skin, slipping under his collar and climbing toward his jaw. His breath came out rough and torn.

I caught his arm before his knees buckled. "You said the charge was gone."

"The bomb's charge is gone." His eyes found mine. Too bright. Too sharp. "The rest of it is inside me."

"That's not better."

"No. It isn't."

The blast door slammed again.

I ripped the shield key from the dead console. The thin metal rod was warm in my palm despite the freezing room. The Rook crest had been cut into one end.

Carson's fingers closed around my wrist.

Heat burned through his skin.