Chapter 21 · Damn it!

He lunged before they could fire.

The first inspector went down under his shoulder. Riven’s blade cut across a crossbow string, then struck the man’s mask hard enough to crack it. Two more rushed him from the side.

I could have run.

The gate was behind me. The alley exit was open. Evelyn wanted my hands, but she wanted them attached. That gave me options.

Riven took a bolt across his upper arm.

He staggered.

Black fire poured from the wound and rolled over his sleeve.

"Damn it!" I shouted.

Evelyn raised one gloved hand. "Let him burn. The fire will open the gate for us."

Riven dropped to one knee.

"Talia! Go!"

I ran toward him instead.

"You are the worst person at following orders," he growled.

"You’re welcome."

An inspector swung a hooked baton at my head. I ducked and drove my palm into his wrist.

His strength left him instantly.

Mine didn’t.

The stolen power snapped into my arm, heavy and sharp. I twisted his wrist, kicked his knee, and sent him face-first into the gate.

The black ward lit beneath his mask.

He screamed.

Riven stared at me. "You took his ward-breaking power."

"Borrowed it.