Chapter 10 · The Imposter's Bite

"Run, Kaelen! Don't look back!" Lyra slammed her shoulder into me and sent us both tumbling behind a slab of black stone.

A hooked blade sliced through the space where my head had been.

The attacker landed on all fours ten feet away. Tall. Thin. Wrapped in gray hide. Its face was hidden behind a bone mask, but the red glow behind the eye holes tracked me perfectly.

"You said there were three," I hissed.

"There were three." Lyra grabbed my arm and dragged me lower. Her fingers were warm against my cold skin. "Now there are seven. Stop counting and move."

"Seven?"

"Do you want me to draw you a picture?"

Another blade struck the stone. Cracks jumped across the surface.

I pushed up, but Lyra shoved me back down with one hand against my chest. Her body pressed close enough that I felt the quick thud of her heartbeat through her coat.

"Stay here," she whispered.

"That sounds like a terrible plan."

"It's the only plan where you keep your head."

"You worry about my head a lot."

Her eyes flashed in the dark. "I worry about my contract.