Chapter 12 · For survival

"For survival."

"That's not the same thing."

Her gaze sharpened. "Don't make this into something it isn't."

"You brought me into a death trap. You lied about my name. You keep standing close enough to feel my heartbeat and then act like I'm the only one crossing a line."

"You don't have a heartbeat."

"You know what I mean."

Her fingers curled inside my grip.

For one dangerous second, she leaned toward me instead of away.

Then the cavern ceiling cracked.

A wing-shaped shard of black crystal broke loose and dropped between us.

Lyra tore free and shoved me sideways. The crystal smashed into the ground, throwing a burst of white light across the cavern.

Every shadow vanished.

The hunter screamed.

Its pale eyes widened as the light struck them. It staggered backward, clawing at its face.

"Now!" Lyra shouted. "Take them!"

"Take what?"

"Its eyes! The light is burning through its mark!"

The hunter swung blindly. Its blade cut across my arm.

I grabbed its wrist and drove it down. The creature fought with sudden, desperate strength. Its claws raked my shoulders. Its knee struck my core.