Chapter 10 · Uninvited Guest

"Don't move. Don't breathe." Kane's hand slams over my mouth before I can even flinch.

His palm is hot. Too hot. Sweat and blood and that weird iron smell from the Maw all over it.

"Shh," he breathes against my ear. "They're inside."

Boots hit the stone outside our crack in the wall. Not one pair. Three. Four.

Heavy. Human. Not claws. Not slime.

My heart is going insane against my ribs. His hand presses harder.

"Easy," he whispers. "You panic, we die. You get me?"

I nod. Just a tiny jerk of my chin. His fingers flex against my cheek.

He's bleeding. I can feel it now. Warm wet seeping from his side onto my leg where we're crammed together.

This crevice is not built for two people. My back is against cold rock. His chest is against my front. Every breath he takes shoves me harder into the wall.

"Kane," I whisper against his palm. "You're leaking all over me."

"Yeah, thanks for the update," he mutters, low and pissed. "Try not to sound so thrilled about it."

"I'm not thrilled. You're heavy."

"I'm injured. There's a difference."

Outside, a voice barks, "Clear left! Check the fissures.