Chapter 22 · Finn Is Still In There

"Don't let go of me."

Elias's fingers locked around Nora's wrist before the black lines under her skin could reach her elbow.

Pain snapped through both of them.

Nora drove her free hand into his chest. "Get off."

"Gladly. Stop fighting the binding."

"You say that like I enjoy being chained to you."

"You keep trying to tear your arm away. That makes the curse bite harder."

He had her pinned against the metal door of the old relay room, one hand around her wrist, the other braced beside her head. His body blocked the exit. His breath brushed her cheek every time the magic pulsed between them.

Nora hated that she noticed.

She hated more that he was right.

The dark marks crawling up her arm tightened. Her heartbeat stumbled. Elias flinched at the same instant, his jaw grinding shut.

"There," he said. "Feel that?"

"I feel you crushing my hand."

"Your hand isn't the problem. Your memories are."

The next pulse hit hard enough to make her vision jump.

For half a second, she forgot where she was.

For half a second, she forgot why Elias was holding her.

Then the relay room slammed back into focus—