Chapter 19 · Don't Use the Front Door

Kael's bleeding.

Rin notices it the moment they round the corner into the narrow alley behind the old grain mill. He's holding his side, just under the ribs, and the fabric of his tunic is dark. Not soaked. Not yet. But dark enough that she knows he's been hiding it for the last two streets.

"You're hurt," she says.

He doesn't slow down. "I'm fine."

"You're bleeding through your shirt."

"I said I'm fine."

She grabs his arm and yanks him to a stop. He turns, and the look he gives her is sharp enough to cut. But she's not backing down. Not when he's about to keel over in the middle of the city and drag her down with him.

"Show me," she says.

He pulls his arm free. "We don't have time."

"Then make time. Because if you pass out before we get to Mira, I'm not carrying you."

His jaw tightens. For a second she thinks he's going to argue. Then he lifts the edge of his tunic, just enough for her to see the gash running along his ribs. It's not deep, but it's clean. A blade, not a fall. Someone got close.

"Who did that?"