“Get up, Daniel!” Casey grabbed the wheeled chair and threw it at the Eternals.
With a death grip on Daniel’s right arm, she hauled him toward the doorway behind them. She managed to slam and bolt the door just before a heavy weight banged against it.
Daniel pulled her into the center of the room, his hand shaking as he gripped her wrist. “The lock won’t stop them for long,” he said. “Especially Trevor.”
“How strong is he?” When Daniel didn’t answer she turned on him and grabbed the front of his shirt. “How strong is Trevor?”
“He could throw you across the room with little more than a thought.” Swaying, he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Casey. I’m so sorry—”
“Stop it.” She pulled out of his loose grip and wrapped her arm around his waist to steady him. He looked like death. “Daniel—look at me.” He opened his eyes, and Casey blurted out the question before she could stop herself. Before she could run away from what she was about to ask of him. “Is it true you can transfer your powers?”
* * *
“I will not.” It took most of his strength, but Daniel jerked free of her. “You have no idea what you’re asking—”
“I know exactly what I’m asking.” Casey paced him as he retreated, trapping him against the wall. “Everyone I love will suffer, once your father finds out what happened to you. Everyone here will suffer. Tell me I’m wrong.” She framed his face, and he closed his eyes. Her touch felt like coming home. “Please, tell me I’m wrong, Daniel.”
“I can’t,” he whispered. “Don’t ask me to do this, Casey. It will hurt you—and I won’t be able to control it once—”
“I don’t want you to.” The door bowed, and a crack burst through the layers of paint. “We’re running out of time.”
“Casey—”
“Please, Daniel. This is the only way to protect you.”
Those simple words lodged his breath in his throat. No one had ever stood for him like this. He didn’t want it to be her—not like this, not when he had just found her—
A loud snap had him pulling Casey across the room. She studied him, those clear green eyes so open and trusting.
“Forgive me,” he whispered, then he yanked her forward and kissed her.
Even broken by poison, Daniel had power. More than even Trevor knew. Casey wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth under the pressure of his. He held back a low moan, wanting to explore every inch of her.
Instead, he clamped his arm around her waist and opened the doorway to his power.
She screamed against his lips. Daniel expected her to fight, and braced himself for it. She held on, even as her knees buckled, her breathing ragged, her skin heating. When he gave her as much as he dared, he broke off the deadly kiss.
His arm throbbed, the poison pressing against the fractured wall. He wouldn’t be able to hold against it for long.
Casey opened her eyes—and Daniel forgot his pain. She dazzled him. Power edged those green eyes in gold, radiated from her skin. She pulled free and turned toward the door. Daniel sagged against the wall, and watched her gather the power, knowing that once she tapped it, she would lose control and burn from the inside out.