Chapter 8 · The Choice

"Evelyn Hart is the source of the disasters." Oscar's voice blasted from every speaker in the bedroom. "She brought the breach into Obsidian Reach. Warden Valerian is authorized to eliminate her."

The first bullet punched through the door.

Kane slammed me to the floor before the second one hit. His body covered mine, hard and hot, while plaster sprayed across my cheek.

"Get off me!"

"You're welcome."

Another burst ripped through the wood.

Kane caught my wrist and dragged me behind the stone bedframe. His shoulder pressed into mine. His breath scraped against my ear, fast and rough.

But he wasn't watching the door.

His eyes were locked on the black veins crawling up his throat.

"Kane."

"Don't say my name like that."

"Like what? Like you're about to fall apart?"

His fingers tightened around my wrist. "Find the exception."

I stared at him. "You remember that now?"

"I remember enough. The pact has an exception. Find it, and the memory bleed stops."

"And if I don't?"

A third bullet struck the bedframe. Stone chips cut my cheek.

Kane flinched.