Chapter 44 · The Child Who Sealed It

"Don't let go of me."

Kade's hand locked around Ayla's wrist before the tunnel floor dropped.

Stone cracked under her boots. A section of rail twisted upward, throwing sparks into the dark. Behind them, the collapse rolled closer, a wall of dust and broken concrete eating the tunnel one support at a time.

Ayla yanked against his grip. "I wasn't planning to."

"You were looking at the exit."

"Because I like exits. You should try them sometime."

Another blast shook the tunnel. Kade slammed her against the sidewall and covered her with his body as chunks of stone punched through the air. One struck his shoulder. He grunted but didn't move.

His chest pressed against hers. Heat soaked through both their clothes. Dust clung to his jaw, and blood ran from a cut near his temple.

Ayla shoved at him. "Move."

"Say you can walk."

"I can walk."

"Say it without lying."

Her soul-mark burned beneath her glove.