Chapter 20 · Still ordering me around?

He coughed. "Still ordering me around?"

"Yes. Open them."

"Bossy witch."

"Mutated guard dog."

One corner of his mouth lifted.

Then the hunters dragged open the front passenger door.

Sable kicked the first man in the face and grabbed the fallen rifle.

"Move!" she shouted. "The gate's opening!"

A deep crack split the tunnel.

The sealed doors ahead buckled upward.

Cael pushed himself off Lia. His face had gone pale, but his eyes were clear again.

"You said my name," he told her.

"You asked me to."

"You said it like you meant me."

"Don't make this strange."

"It's already strange."

"Get up."

He offered his hand.

Lia stared at it.

"If you leave me here, they take you," he said. "If you come with me, you're trapped in the car until we clear the gate. Pick one."

"You make everything sound charming."

"Pick."

She took his hand.

His fingers closed around hers.

The contact was brief, but the chain reacted like it had been waiting for it. Heat ran between their palms. Cael's eyes dropped to their joined hands.

Lia pulled him upright.

"Don't read anything into that."

"I didn't say anything."

"Your face did."

"Your face is worse."