Chapter 27 · The City Hunts Back

"Move, Lyra. Now." Caelan shoved her behind the iron support beam as three silver bolts punched through the archive door.

The nearest bolt struck his shoulder. He grunted, caught it before it could sink deeper, and snapped the shaft in half.

"You just took a hunter bolt for me."

"Don't sound touched." He pressed his palm over the wound. Smoke curled between his fingers. "You still owe me seven days of your life."

"And you still owe me an explanation for why the entire city is trying to kill us."

Another bolt slammed into the beam beside her face.

Lyra ducked. Metal screamed against metal. Somewhere beyond the door, boots hammered across the upper gallery.

"They found the archive," Mira shouted from the other side of the sealed records room. "How did they find the archive?"

"Because someone talked," Lyra called back.

Caelan's gray eyes cut toward her. "You think it was me?"

"I think you signed my death warrant. Forgive me if trust isn't having a great night."

His mouth tightened. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her low as a fourth bolt tore through the door. His hand was hot around her skin, too hot.