Chapter 48 · Shadow Market

"Don't touch that door."

Lila's hand froze on the rusted bar.

Behind her, Cain raised the black shock tool. Its tip crackled inches from the back of her neck.

"You said we were leaving," she said.

"I said we were moving. I didn't say through that door."

"Cute distinction. The hunters are cutting through the ceiling, the kid is barely breathing, and you just pointed a weapon at me. Pick one emergency, Cain."

His jaw tightened. The control band around her wrist pulsed blue. Every pulse tugged at something buried under his skin. A command. A leash. A hand around his throat that wasn't physically there.

The rescued subject whimpered from the floor.

Lila glanced down. "He's going to bleed out if we stand here arguing."

"Then stop arguing."

"You started it."

Cain stepped closer. The heat of him reached her through her torn jacket. His breath brushed the side of her face, rough and uneven.