Chapter 23 · Forbidden Healing

"Don't pull it out."

Cain's hand locked over my shoulder before I could tear the claws free.

"Get your hand off me."

"Keep fighting me and you'll bleed faster."

The beast's claws had punched through my coat and skin. Every breath dragged them deeper. Cain hooked one arm around my waist, pinning me against his chest while his other hand crushed the wound shut.

His heat soaked through my clothes. His heartbeat slammed against my back.

Not calm. Not controlled.

Furious.

A snarl rolled through the black trees.

Cain's head snapped toward it. "How many?"

"You said two."

"Three. The third was hiding."

"Great. Love the update."

His fingers tightened on my shoulder. "You want to complain, or do you want to live?"

"I can multitask."

The beast lunged from the dark.

Cain shoved me aside so hard my knees hit the ground. The creature crashed into him. Bone cracked. I couldn't tell whose.

Cain roared and drove it into a tree.

The sound ripped through my chest. It wasn't human. It wasn't even close.

I pushed upright, one hand clamped over my shoulder.