Chapter 38 · The Bullet Meant for Him

"Put the children on the ground, or Commander Rayne dies first."

Cole's voice crackled through the checkpoint radio.

Sera froze with one hand under the canvas flap of the supply cart. Two small bodies pressed against her ribs beneath the wool blankets. One pup trembled. The other had gone so still she could barely feel him breathe.

Across the checkpoint, Rayne stood between her and six armed soldiers. Blood darkened the side of his shirt. His hands were empty, but his eyes stayed locked on hers.

"You heard him," the checkpoint officer barked. "Bring out the pups."

Sera's fingers closed around the stolen seal in her pocket.

The brass disk was warm from the officer's belt. She had taken it while he was busy reading the military order with Rayne's name stamped across the bottom.

Rayne had seen her steal it.

He hadn't stopped her.

That was the problem.

"You want them?" Sera called. "Come search the cart yourself."

The officer raised his rifle. "Don't get clever, rebel."

"I'm not the one hiding behind a squad of men."

A soldier stepped toward the cart.

Rayne moved first.

He crossed the space between them so fast the soldier stumbled back.