A cloud of pulverized concrete and sparkling, shattered glass rained down around them, settling onto the bloodstained floor of the arena.

Kaelen lay motionless on his side for a terrifying second, his breath wheezing through his teeth. A jagged piece of glass had sliced open his cheek,

The remaining guards didn't hesitate. The moment their point man crumpled with a hollow thud, a chaotic symphony of gunfire erupted, tearing the air apart.

"Move!" Kaelen roared, his voice cutting through the deafening barrage of automatic weapon fire.

Seraphina didn't need to be tol

"Thorne. Hey. Open your eyes, Thorne!"

Seraphina slapped Kaelen’s cheek, her palm leaving a smear of red across his pale skin. He groaned, his eyelids fluttering as a harsh, wet cough wracked his chest.

"Don't touch me," he rasped, though there was no heat in his voice. He tried to s