Chapter 32 · Bleeding Out

"Hold still, damn it." Sila pressed both hands against Kael's side as blood pushed through her fingers. "If you pull away again, I will break your arm and tie you to the floor."

"You say that like it's new."

"I'm serious."

"So am I." Kael tried to grin, but the motion ended in a rough breath. "You always get bossy when you're worried."

Sila shoved him back against the cracked concrete wall. His shoulder hit first. His head followed.

"I'm not worried." She tightened the strip of cloth around his ribs. "I'm annoyed. You bled on my jacket."

"That's your favorite jacket."

"Exactly. Which means you owe me."

The ruined transit station shook around them. Dust fell from the ceiling in thin streams. Somewhere above, metal groaned and a loose panel clanged against the frame.

Kael looked down at the dark stain spreading across his shirt. The cut ran from his lower ribs toward his back, left by a Capital drone blade during the escape. His internal repair system had sealed worse damage before.

This time, it had stalled.

His vision kept jumping.