Chapter 20 · The Price He Won't Say

My palm's still bleeding when we hit the chapel.

Kade shoves the door shut behind us. His shoulder slams the wood. The lock clicks. He's breathing hard. So am I. The bond hums under my ribs, hot and tight, like it's still burning through whatever Theron did on that rooftop.

"We can't stay here." I press my cut hand against my jacket. Blood soaks through. "He's coming."

Kade doesn't look at me. He's staring at the stained glass window above the altar. It's old. Cracked. The moonlight cuts through in silver lines. "He won't touch this place. Not yet."

"Why not?"

"It's warded." His voice is flat. Empty. "Old pack ground. My father's blood is in the stone."

I don't ask what that means. I'm too busy trying to keep my hand from shaking. The bond flares again. I feel it in my teeth. My spine. Kade flinches at the same time I do.

"You need to sit." He moves toward me. I step back.

"I'm fine."

"You're bleeding."

"So are you."

He stops. His hand goes to his side. When he pulls it away, his fingers are red. I didn't see him get hit.