Chapter 21 · Red Zone Run

"Don't let them see the mark!" Rowan grabbed my wrist and yanked me behind the rooftop vent as three rifles cracked against the stone where we'd been standing.

My shoulder slammed into his chest. His breath hit my ear, hot and sharp. Through the bond, I felt his pain flare beneath his ribs, then my own ribs answered with the same white-hot stab.

"You could've warned me before the shooting started."

"I did. You were busy staring at the woman who wants you dead."

"She called me a key. That's different from wanting me dead."

Rowan shoved his hand over my mouth as another round punched through the vent cover. Metal screamed beside my cheek.

"Quiet."

I bit his palm.

He jerked back. "What the hell?"

"Don't put your hands on me unless you want to lose them."

"Then stop trying to get us killed."

Across the roof, red targeting beams crawled over the vents. The council's soldiers had boxed us in from every angle.