Chapter 40 · The Blood That Commands

"Let go!" I tried to step into the collapsing ward, but Carson caught my wrist and yanked me back.

The floor split between us.

Blue fire ripped through the crack, tore across the stone, and slammed into the iron columns surrounding the city's core.

Carson dragged me against his chest. His coat scraped my cheek. One arm locked around my waist while the other drove his sigil into the nearest control plate.

"Ivy, stop fighting me."

"I'm not fighting you. I'm trying to save everyone you failed to protect."

The control plate spat sparks beneath his palm.

His jaw tightened. "You want to reach the core? Stay inside my shield."

"Your shield is dying."

"So is the city."

Another blast struck.

Carson twisted, taking the impact across his back. A rough sound tore out of him. Nothing like the cold officer who'd dragged me before the tribunal and locked his ring around my finger in front of half the city.

He dropped to one knee.

I tore free and grabbed the front of his coat. "Get up.