Thales' fist hit the wall so hard that the stone cracked. The sound echoed down the hallway like swallowed thunder. His arm throbbed, but he didn't feel it. Only anger.

He ran.

His boots pounded the floor until he reached Aurora. He grabbed her arm brutally, pulling her back.

Aurora turned in a flash, her eyes red, tears burning. She tried to break free, but his grip was iron.

The shock came through her skin. An electric current. Her body trembled, and so did his. A ...