Chapter 19 · The Second Exchange

"Don't let go." I hooked my hands under Adrian's arms and dragged him across the concrete.

His jacket caught on a seam. I yanked harder. The silver lines carved into the floor flared beneath him, bright enough to hurt my eyes.

Marcus's voice crackled through the intercom. "You've got less than two minutes, Lynn. Keep dragging him and the grid will finish the job."

I stopped and looked up at the camera. Its red light blinked back at me.

"Then tell me how to shut it off."

"Why would I? Victor wants you alive. Adrian's optional."

"You took his money. Don't pretend you grew a conscience now."

Marcus laughed. "Still sharp. That's what Victor likes about you."

Adrian's head rolled against my knee. His skin felt wrong—not vampire-cold, but colder than that. His pulse stuttered under my fingers.

"Adrian." I slapped his cheek lightly. "Open your eyes."

Nothing.

The bond pulled tight beneath my ribs, then weakened. Thirty days or we both stop. That was the deal.

I told myself the pain in my chest came from that.

It didn't.

I scanned the hall. Every exit was sealed.