Chapter 37 · Crown of Thorns

"Don't let go!" Kael's hand slammed around my wrist as the broken altar dropped beneath us.

Stone tore free. The whole sanctuary folded into the dark, taking fire, gold, and screaming priests with it. My shoulder nearly ripped out of place before I caught the edge of a black crystal shelf with my other hand.

Kael hung below me, one arm locked around a jagged pillar. Blood ran from his temple and dripped into the open vault beneath us.

"You first," he snapped. "Climb."

"You always this stupid when you're bleeding?"

"Only when you're trying to die for me."

The black bond between us pulsed. It wasn't a rope. It wasn't magic I understood. It was a hot line buried under my skin, dragging every breath out of him and shoving it into me.

His pulse stumbled.

Mine followed.

"Kael." I tightened my grip. "Look at me."

"I'm looking. You're still impossible. Good sign."

"Your heart just skipped."

"Then stop talking and pull."

Above us, August stepped onto the last piece of intact platform. His golden crown hung crooked over his brow.