Chapter 18 · No Safehouse Left

"They're in the walls." Kael's hand clamped over my mouth before I could answer the knock.

I froze. The safehouse door was steel. Nobody knocked.

"Back window," he breathed against my ear. "Three seconds."

He pulled me toward the kitchen. I grabbed his wrist.

"The files," I hissed. "The evidence—"

"Leave it."

"Are you insane? We just—"

The door exploded inward. Not a breach charge. Claws. The frame splintered like kindling.

Kael shoved me through the window. I hit gravel, rolled, came up with my hands already shifted. He landed beside me and we ran.

The alley was narrow, claustrophobic. My heart slammed against my ribs. Behind us, boots on broken glass. Ahead, chain-link and razor wire.

"Over," Kael said.

I looked at him. "In heels?"

"Lose them."

I kicked off my pumps and climbed. The fence bit into my palms. Kael was already on the other side, reaching back.

"Jump."

I jumped. He caught me, and for half a second I was pressed against his chest, his arms locked around my waist. His pulse was steady. Mine wasn't.

"Move," he said, and we moved.

Three blocks. Then five. My feet were bleeding.