Chapter 28 · The Backlash Begins

"Don't you dare pull away now, Nova. We're already past the point of no return."

Kael’s hand was clamped tight on my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin. He didn't just hold me; he anchored me to the cold floor of the ritual chamber. I could feel the heat radiating off him, a sharp contrast to the freezing air that smelled like ozone and old copper.

"Get off me!" I snapped, though my voice sounded thin, even to me. I tried to wrench my arm back, but he didn't budge. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

"You want your core back, don't you?" he whispered, his tone dropping into that dangerous, low register that made my pulse spike. "Stop fighting and start absorbing. If you break the circuit now, the backlash will fry what's left of your nervous system."

I glared up at him, my vision blurring. "I don't need your help to handle a little feedback, Golden Boy."

"Liar," he countered. He shifted his weight, pinning me further against the stone. "You're shaking.