Page 35 of Zenith Tower

“Release him.”

Heat spread along my forearm beneath the sleeve. My Mark pushed against the restraint I had kept over it since childhood. Across the room, Astra caught her breath and grabbed her wrist.

The reader’s pen moved.

Marrow released Kieran’s collar.

I let go of his wrist only after Kieran settled back against the chair. His face had gone gray. Astra moved to his side, putting herself between him and Marrow.

“Response was immediate,” the reader said.

Another reviewer looked down at the instrument beside her papers. “Corresponding change registered in Verita’s third line.”

Caspian rose. “You’re recording this?”

“All responses during review are recorded,” the reader said.

I turned on Marrow. “He has been out of the infirmary for three days.”

“No injury was intended.”

“You wrenched his damaged shoulder anyway.”

Marrow straightened the collar I had crushed beneath my hand. A red mark was already forming around his wrist.

My Mark pressed harder beneath my sleeve.

Kieran said my name.

“Jonah.”

I looked at him.

He was breathing shallowly, his left hand braced against the arm of the chair. “Don’t give them another response.”

The heat along my forearm did not lessen, but I forced it beneath the familiar pressure of suppression. My father had taught me to do it before I understood why he feared my Mark. I had hated every hour of that training. Now it gave me a way to stop.

I stepped back.

The reader wrote something more. “Instructor Hale retains voluntary control following activation.”

“You could have asked,” Astra said.

“Self-reported responses are insufficient.”

“So you hurt him instead.”

Marrow returned to the wall. “The session will continue.”

Caspian looked toward the door. A healer had moved in front of it, one hand resting on the latch.

I picked up my chair and set it beside Kieran before I sat.

They asked about the heat beneath my sleeve, whether I had felt Astra’s distress before I saw her move, and whether my impulse had been to protect Kieran specifically or everyone in the room. I answered as little as I could. Kieran remained upright beside Astra, though the color did not return to his face.

When the panel finally dismissed us, I waited until Kieran was through the door before following.

The chamber door closed behind us. Before we reached the turn, I pressed my back to the wall and looked down. My fingers were shaking.