Chapter 41 · The Purge Starts

“Put the blade down, Elias.”

Nora caught his wrist before the black steel reached the heart.

The force of his swing pulled her into him. Her shoulder hit his chest. His arm locked between them, hot skin under her fingers, the cursed pulse in his wrist beating hard against her palm.

“Let go,” he said.

“Not while you’re trying to murder the only thing keeping this city alive.”

“It’s not keeping the city alive.” His eyes cut toward the heart suspended above the stone altar. “It’s feeding Sera every memory she wants to steal.”

The heart beat once.

Blue light burst through the chamber floor. Nora’s knees buckled, and Elias grabbed her around the waist before she hit the ground.

Pain tore through the bond between them.

Nora gasped. Elias swore and dropped to one knee, still holding her upright.

“Feel that?” he snapped. “That’s the grid taking another piece.”

“I feel you.”

“Then stop pretending this thing can be saved.”

His breath brushed her cheek. Too close. His hand was spread against her ribs, fingers firm through her coat, holding her like she belonged behind him instead of in the middle of the fight.

Nora shoved at his chest.