Chapter 21 · Untitled Chapter

"Don't let go of me."

Cade's hand locked around Lena's wrist as the first stone smashed into his shoulder.

He staggered half a step.

He still didn't let go.

"Wasn't planning to," Lena said. "Keep moving."

"You keep breathing. That comes first."

Another stone exploded against the wall beside her head. Brick shards cut her cheek. Beyond the narrow street, hundreds of people packed the avenue, all screaming the same name.

"Lena Vale!"

The chant rolled through the city like one giant throat.

A butcher shoved through the crowd with a cleaver raised over his head.

Cade yanked Lena behind him and caught the man's wrist before the blade came down.

"Move," Cade growled.

"She opened the core!" the butcher screamed. "She called the red light!"

"I didn't call anything!" Lena snapped.

Cade twisted the man's wrist until the cleaver clattered onto the stones.

"Run before I break it."

The butcher went pale.

The crowd surged anyway.

Lena grabbed Cade's coat and dragged him toward a side passage. "That was your idea of staying unnoticed?"

"You want unnoticed? Stop glowing."

Red light pulsed beneath Lena's skin, bright enough to shine through her sleeves.