Chapter 34 · Forbidden Resonance

"Get down!" Kael slammed into me a second before the white blast tore through the ruin.

Stone exploded over our heads. Heat punched the air out of my lungs, and Kael's body drove mine flat against the cracked floor. His arm locked across my ribs. His other hand covered the back of my neck.

"Move," I gasped.

"Not yet."

"That wasn't a suggestion."

Another bolt screamed over us. It struck the arch behind Kael and split the old stone from top to bottom. Dust rained across his shoulders.

He lifted his head just enough to look at me. His face was close. Too close. I could feel his breath against my cheek, hot and rough from the last fight.

"You want to die standing?" he asked.

"I want you off me."

"Lie better."

His weight stayed over mine for one more heartbeat. Then he rolled away, caught my wrist, and dragged me behind a fallen pillar before the ceiling came down where we had been.

The impact shook the floor.

I shoved his hand away. "You could warn me before using me as a shield."

"I did warn you."

"You yelled get down after the spell was already fired.