Chapter 8 · The Name on the Death Order

"Walk faster." Lucas's grip locked around my arm as he dragged me through the tribunal tower. His other hand stayed pressed over the memory chip hidden beneath my collar.

The cuffs biting into my wrists were bad enough. His body heat against my side made them worse.

"Take your hand off me."

"Keep fighting me, and I'll carry you."

"Try it, Warden. I dare you."

His fingers tightened.

Heat flashed through my skin. Sharp. Distracting. The last thing I needed from a man who'd spent the past hour threatening to hand me over to his own command.

Alarms screamed overhead. Red lights strobed across the steel walls, washing Lucas's face in blood-colored shadows.

A voice boomed through the speakers.

"Unauthorized breach. Suspect Evelyn Voss is to be terminated on sight. Senior Warden Lucas Vale is relieved of command."

I laughed once. It came out rough.

"Looks like your family finally got tired of pretending you were useful."

Lucas shoved me around the corner.

His shoulder slammed into mine, pinning me to the wall as two armed wardens raced past the junction below. His chest pressed against my back.