Chapter 11 · Shared Agony

"Move, Raven!" Seraphina shoved him sideways as the crossbow bolt punched through the stone where his head had been.

The impact sprayed chips across his cheek. Raven hit the floor, rolled, and dragged Seraphina down with him before the next volley tore through the tunnel.

"Get off me," she snapped.

"Gladly. Take three steps and die first."

Her palm was braced against his chest. His hand had locked around her waist to keep her from sliding into the open kill zone. Their faces were inches apart, her breath hot against his mouth, his fingers pressed into the hard leather at her side.

Another bolt cracked against the wall.

Seraphina flinched. The black mark burned under her skin.

Raven felt the same pain rip through his ribs.

"You felt that?" she asked.

"I feel everything you feel. You should try not getting shot."

"You think I enjoy sharing pain with a condemned murderer?"

"You made the tether."

"You forced it."

"You were dying."

"I should have let you fall."

"You still can. Just walk more than five paces away."

Her jaw tightened. She knew the rule. They both did.