Chapter 48 · The Silver in His Blood

"Move, Sera. Now."

Rayne shoved me through the narrow ice tunnel, one hand locked around my wrist and the other wrapped around the pup against his chest.

The cave shook behind us. Frozen stone cracked overhead, and a wave of dust rolled through the passage.

I slipped. My shoulder slammed into the wall, but Rayne caught the back of my coat before I hit the ground.

"I said move."

"Stop barking at me like I'm one of your recruits."

"Then stop running like you want to die."

His silver eyes cut through the blue darkness. The pup squirmed beneath his arm, little claws catching in Rayne's shirt. A thin whine escaped the blanket.

"He's cold," I said.

"I know."

"Then hold him properly. His head's exposed."

"You want to carry him?"

"Give him to me."

Rayne stepped closer instead. His chest brushed mine. Heat rolled off him despite the freezing tunnel, and the scent of iron, pine, and the bond filled my lungs.

"No," he said. "You keep both hands free."

"For what?