Chapter 29 · Every Hero Wants Her Dead

"Run, Vesper!" Julian slammed me behind the broken relay housing as a bolt of blue energy tore through the wall where my head had been.

Dust slapped my face. I hit the concrete hard, Julian's body covering mine for one sharp second before he rolled away and drew his blade.

Three figures dropped through the shattered roof.

Black armor. Silver masks. Hero League hunters.

Every hero in this city wanted me dead.

"You brought them here," I snapped.

Julian rose in one smooth motion, blade bright in his hand. "They followed us."

"That's not better."

Another bolt smashed into the floor. Concrete jumped under my palms.

Julian caught my wrist and pulled me toward the service tunnel. His grip was hot, too tight, and completely impossible to ignore with our soul-bind humming between us.

"Move," he said.

"Take your hand off me."

"Gladly. Right after we stop getting shot."

He shoved me through the narrow opening and turned just as a hunter charged. Steel rang against steel. Julian blocked the first strike, but the impact drove him back one step.

I didn't wait for permission.