Chapter 20 · Stay here

He glanced over his shoulder. "Stay here."

"No."

"Ivy."

"You burn that charge, and it spreads."

"If I don't, those machines tear the convoy apart. Noah's inside the dead zone."

"We can go around."

"There is no around."

"Then find another way. That's what you do, isn't it? Hide the truth, make a deal, and let everyone else pay for it."

His eyes went cold. "This isn't the time."

"It's the only time I have left."

The first machine lunged.

Carson shoved me sideways. Its blade slammed into the floor where my head had been.

Sparks burst across the rails.

"Get behind the convoy!" he barked.

"I'm not leaving you!"

"For once, do what I say!"

The machine ripped its blade free and turned toward him. Blue fire flooded its core. Carson's blackened veins flared under his skin.

He staggered.

I caught his sleeve. "Carson, look at me."

"Don't touch me."

"You said I was the nearest ward. If you lose control, I'm already involved."

"Ivy, get back."

"Make me."

His gaze snapped to mine. Heat rolled off him.