Chapter 8 · We moved together. Julian drove forward with the

We moved together.

Julian drove forward with the shield. I sent a red pulse through its center. The combined force knocked three hounds into the opposite wall. One tried to flank us. Julian's hand caught the back of my jacket and pulled me out of the strike.

I twisted under his arm and kicked the hound's knee.

"Left," he said.

"I saw him."

"You were looking at the weapon."

"I was going to take the weapon."

"You were going to get stabbed."

"You sound worried again."

"You're impossible."

"And yet you're stuck with me."

"For life."

The words hung between us.

The bond carried the meaning straight through my chest.

For life.

I shoved it away and ripped the rifle from the fallen hound's grip.

"Don't say that like it's sweet."

"I didn't."

"You thought it."

"You heard it wrong."

"I heard you perfectly."

A hound lunged from behind the crates.

Julian grabbed my waist and hauled me backward. My spine hit his chest.