Chapter 21 · Neon Rain Shelter

"Don't move. If you fall, I leave you there."

Vala shoved me against the metal door before my knees could give out. Her forearm pressed across my chest, hard enough to drive the air from my lungs. The old service room shook every time the tunnel groaned behind us.

I grabbed her wrist. "You dragged me three blocks through a collapsing tomb. You don't get to act surprised when I wobble."

"I get to act surprised when the man carrying a city-killing decryption key decides to bleed all over my boots."

"Your boots were ugly before the blood."

Her eyes dropped to my side.

The joke died between us.

My jacket was split from ribs to hip. The cut wasn't deep enough to kill me fast, which was the problem. Black lines crawled under my skin, branching away from the wound in thin, glowing threads. The Void had been quiet during the escape. Now it was chewing through my nerves again.

Vala pushed harder. "Take your hand off me."

"Then stop pinning me to the door."

"You want to stay standing? Cooperate."

"You want me alive? Ask nicely."

She leaned closer. Her wet hair brushed my cheek.