Chapter 19 · Cracks in the Armor

"Let go of him or I take your hand off at the wrist!"

Sloane didn't wait for an answer. She was already inside the cell, blade pressed hard against the Hollow's throat, her other hand fisted in Julian's collar, yanking him back with a jerk.

The Hollow didn't budge. Bony fingers stayed locked around Julian's wrist. Tears cut clean, ugly lines through the grime on the creature's face.

"Sloane, don't," Julian snapped. "You move that blade one inch and you undo everything I just did."

"Everything you just did?" She didn't even look at him. Her eyes were locked on the monster. "You were supposed to stay outside. That was the deal."

"Yeah, well, your deal was stupid."

Sloane's grip tightened on his collar, pulling him flush against her. "You think this is a game? He could've ripped your mind out."

"He was crying," Julian said. "When's the last time you saw him cry?"

Sloane flinched. Just a flicker. But Julian caught it.

The Hollow made a wet, broken sound. "Don't... let them lie..." Its voice cracked. "The city... it's not..."

"Hey. Look at me," Julian said, his voice dropping.