Chapter 15 · He tore the bolt free and threw it aside

She kicked the soldier into the wall. Raven finished him with the hilt of his dagger.

A third soldier fired a hand crossbow from the doorway.

Raven saw the bolt turn toward Seraphina's throat.

He stepped into its path.

The bolt struck his armor and punched through the leather beneath.

Seraphina screamed with him.

"Raven!"

He tore the bolt free and threw it aside.

"Still standing," he said.

"You absolute idiot."

"You were in the way."

"I was the target."

"Same problem."

Her hand pressed against the wound. Heat spread through his side. Her palm stayed there one second too long.

"Move your hand," he said.

"You need pressure."

"You need to stop touching me like you care."

Her face tightened.

"Don't confuse necessity with care."

"I won't."

"Good."

Behind them, the red crystal began to pulse faster.

Raven looked at it. "What did you trigger?"

"Nothing."

"The room disagrees."

"The control pillar is reacting to the tether."

"Can it kill us?"

"Probably."

"You use that word too much."

"You ask bad questions."

The remaining soldiers pulled back.

The one with the red shoulder strip stepped through the broken door.

His armor was different.