Chapter 40 · Nora, please

I turned.

Finn's expression cracked. His mouth trembled. His eyes filled with tears that didn't fall.

"Nora, please," he said. "He's not—"

Silver light tore across his face, wiping the words away.

"He's not your brother," Elias said.

I snatched the blade from him.

"Tell me the name."

His shoulders went rigid. "You can't take it back."

"I didn't ask if I could."

"Nora—"

"Tell me."

The grid groaned around us. Somewhere beyond the chamber, metal doors slammed open. Voices shouted. Council wardens. Close.

Elias stepped into my space. His fingers closed around my wrist, steadying it without taking the blade.

"Look at me," he said.

"I'm looking."

"If you do this, the bond will carry my pain into you. Every time the curse wakes. Every time the grid tries to feed. You won't be able to pretend I'm a stranger anymore."

"I already know you're a nightmare."

His thumb pressed against my pulse. "You also won't be able to pretend you don't want me alive."

My breath caught.

His eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second.

There it was.