Chapter 20 · No Safe Market

"Move, Evelyn!" Mira slammed both hands against my shoulders and shoved me away from the market gate. "That truck is leaving with or without you."

A Crown rifle cracked beside my head. Concrete burst across my cheek.

I hit the ground, rolled under a hanging sheet of metal, and grabbed the pistol Kade had dropped. My fingers closed around the grip just as his boot came down on the rifleman’s wrist.

"You really need to stop standing where people shoot," Kade said.

"You really need to stop giving orders." I fired past his shoulder.

The Crown soldier behind him dropped with a curse, clutching his armor.

Kade looked at me over his shoulder. His eyes were cold, sharp, and way too close. Blood ran from a cut near his temple, disappearing into the dark line of his jaw.

"That was my target."

"Then aim faster."

Another burst of gunfire chewed through the market stalls. People screamed. A child cried somewhere behind the fuel cages. The whole mobile market shook as the rift under the street gave a deep, ugly pull, making every loose sign and metal hook swing at once.

Mira pointed at the armored transport waiting beyond the gate.