Chapter 33 · You think those are my only choices?

He glanced over his shoulder. "You said I don't get to decide for you. Fine. Decide. Save your brother's memory, or save the man standing in front of you."

The question hit the bond before it reached her ears.

His pain. His fear. His stubborn, furious certainty that dying was easier than losing control again.

Nora pulled him back. "You think those are my only choices?"

"They are."

"Then you're not as clever as everyone says."

"Nora—"

"You said the grid feeds on magic."

"It feeds on memory."

"No. It feeds on connection. That's why it can use voices. That's why it took Finn when I reached for him."

Elias stared at her. "What are you planning?"

"You hate the grid. I need it alive."

"That isn't a plan."

"It is if I give it something it can't digest."

"Don't."

"You don't even know what I'm going to do."

"I know that look. You're about to volunteer for something reckless."

"You noticed?"

"Hard not to. You get this little crease between your brows when you're about to ruin both our lives."

Despite everything, her mouth almost twitched.

Elias saw it.