Chapter 49 · You Count Too Slow

"Why?"

"You count too slow."

I wrapped both hands around the bolt buried in Rayne's arm.

His fingers closed around my waist at once. He dragged me between his knees, pinning my back against his chest.

"What are you doing?"

"Keeping you steady."

"You don't need to—"

"Pull."

I yanked.

The bolt tore free with a harsh scrape. Rayne's hand crushed my hip. His head dropped against my shoulder, and his hot breath struck the side of my neck.

The pup shrieked.

Rayne lifted his face, teeth clenched. Blood ran over my fingers, dark against the silver metal.

"You're bleeding too much," I said.

"I'm fine."

"You are absolutely not fine."

"You pulled silver out of my arm. It hurts. That doesn't mean I'm dying."

"The poison's spreading."

"Then keep talking."

I stared at him. "What?"

"Your voice distracts me."

"You want me to talk? Fine. Tell me why you knew the trap was there."

"I didn't."

"You looked at the wall before it fired."

"I smelled old metal."

"You smelled old metal, but not the silver bolt?"

His eyes lifted to mine. "You really want to do this now?"

"Yes.