Chapter 28 · The City Kneels for Her

"Don't touch the mark unless you want it to take your hand off." Dorian caught my wrist before I could claw at the burning skin under my collarbone.

The royal mark had split open again. Red lines crawled across my chest, bright enough to show through my torn shirt. Every beat of my heart pushed heat through the cracks.

Dorian's palm locked around my wrist. His fingers were warm. His face wasn't.

"Then tell me what to do."

"Hold still."

"That's your plan?"

"It's the only one that keeps you alive."

A blast shook the memory tower. Dust dropped from the ceiling. Somewhere below us, metal screamed against stone.

Dorian pulled me against his chest and turned his body toward the falling debris. His coat snapped around my legs. My cheek hit the hard line of his shoulder, and his breath brushed the top of my head.

"You can let go now," I said.

"No."

"Warden."

"Mara."

His voice cut through the pain. Low. Sharp. Too close.

I shoved at his ribs. He barely moved.

"Calder is wiping the tower," I said. "Every memory in this place. Every witness.