Chapter 12 · Don't Touch Nora

"Don't touch Nora." Evelyn drove her shoulder into the guard before he could drag Nora toward the burning shaft.

The guard slammed into the iron rail. His hand slipped from Nora's coat, but the chain around Nora's waist stayed tight. One more jerk would send her over the edge.

Cade caught Evelyn by the back of her collar and hauled her away from the rail.

"Move, Morrow."

"Get your hands off me."

"Gladly. After you stop trying to get yourself killed."

"Then stop standing there and cut her loose!"

Below them, black fire crawled through the old clock shaft. It did not burn like normal flame. It climbed the stone in thin, twisting fingers, eating the metal braces and turning them red.

Nora hung three feet below the platform, one hand locked around a broken rung. The chain at her waist pulled hard against her ribs.

"Cade!" she shouted. "Any time now!"

Cade released Evelyn and stepped toward the winch. His execution badge flashed at his throat, silver against the soot-dark collar of his coat.

A second guard blocked him.

"Officer Rourke," the man said, "the order says the mechanic stays below."

Cade stopped.