Chapter 11 · The Identity Beneath the Seal

"Get away from the door!" Dorian shouted.

The moonlight round punched through the safe-room wall before I could move.

Stone exploded beside my head. I hit the floor, grit cutting into my palm. Dorian crashed into me a heartbeat later, covering me with his body.

His command coat dragged across my ribs. His breath burned against my cheek. Too hot. Too close.

"You took that for me."

"You were standing where the bullet landed."

"That isn't an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting. Stay down."

Another blast shook the room.

The iron table jumped. Behind us, the vault door groaned in its frame.

Dorian's hand locked around my waist, holding me flat. His other hand clamped over his throat.

Blood slipped between his fingers.

The rejected mark beneath his skin had split open again.

I stared at the red line crawling from his jaw to his collar. His face had gone tight, but he didn't make a sound.

"You're bleeding."

"I noticed."

"That mark is tearing you apart."

His gray eyes cut to mine.