Chapter 31 · I wasn't planning to

"I wasn't planning to."

"Your face says otherwise."

"My face is always like this."

"Your face looks terrible."

"You look worse."

"I look fantastic."

"You have blood on your mouth."

I wiped it away with the back of my hand. "And you have a hole in your sleeve. We're both surviving."

He tried to stand and nearly collapsed.

I tightened my grip around his waist.

His hand landed on my shoulder. His weight pressed into me, solid and warm. For once, he didn't argue about needing help.

That scared me more than the hunters.

We crossed through the gate as alarms erupted behind us. I slammed the manual lever down. The steel door began to close.

Julian looked back at the fallen hunters. "They'll call reinforcements."

"Let them."

"You drained half my shield."

"You still have enough to complain."

"I have enough to walk."

"Barely."

"You sound worried."

"I sound annoyed."

"Your hand is still on my waist."

I removed it.

He swayed.

I caught him again before he hit the wall.

His mouth twitched. "That was fast."

"Say one more word and I'll let you fall."

"You won't."

"Test me."

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my temple.