Chapter 24 · Choose Your Monster

The silver blade pressed into Ryan's throat hard enough to draw blood.

"Pull his core, Lena." Theron's voice was calm. Too calm. Like he was asking me to pass the salt. "Or I open him up right here."

Ryan's eyes were wild. His mouth moved but nothing came out. The silver was burning him where it touched. I could smell it. Scorched skin and fear.

Kade growled low behind me. Not human. Not even close.

"Don't." I didn't know who I was talking to anymore.

Theron tilted his head. "You have five seconds. His core, or his throat. Your choice."

"She's not doing it." Kade's voice scraped out rough. When I looked back his eyes were full gold. No brown left. His hands were shaking. Not from fear. From holding back.

"Then Ryan dies." Theron shrugged. "Four."

Ryan made a sound. High and choked.

"Three."

I stepped forward. My hand came up. I don't know what I was going to do. Reach for Kade's chest. Beg. Stall.

"Two."

Kade moved.

I've never seen him move that fast. One second he was behind me. The next he was on Theron. No shift. No fur.