Chapter 28 · Hollowborn - Chapter 28: The Door Takes Two

Marcus hits the floor.

I don't wait to see if he's out cold. I spin around and Cole's already fading—his shadow form flickering like a bad signal, edges bleeding into the air. The silver pin in his hand is the only solid thing left, glowing faint red where my blood smeared across the engraving.

"Cole."

He doesn't answer. His face is turning translucent. I can see the cracked wall behind him through his jaw.

"Cole, stay with me."

His mouth moves but no sound comes out. Then his knees buckle and he drops, and I catch him before he hits the ground. He weighs almost nothing. Like holding smoke.

The pin falls from his hand and clatters on the concrete. I grab it fast, shove it in my pocket next to the other one. Two pins. Two anchors. Marcus said if I don't hand over the pact key, Cole's soul scatters completely.

But Marcus also lied about everything else for ten years.

I press my palm against Cole's chest. There's no heartbeat. No warmth. Just a faint hum under my hand, like a dying engine.

"What do I do?" I whisper. "Tell me what to do."

His eyes flicker open.