LUCY
The alley falls into a graveyard silence at Cole's pronouncement.
My legs are splayed out before me on the dirty ground—the least of my concerns right now—as I press my fingers against my eyes and fight the pull of unconsciousness with everything I have left.
I cannot go to sleep. Not with my life balanced on the edge of whatever is about to happen. I have to stay present. I have to be able to help if Tavric needs it.
My mind, ever the traitor, snorts at me. Of what use could you possibly be in this state?
I press my lips together and say nothing, because it's right.
Tavric advances. He moves with a predatory grace that charges the air between him and Cole like the space before a lightning strike. A face-off in the truest sense—and somehow, impossibly, he looks like he's done this a hundred times and found it only mildly interesting.
"Is that so?" He cocks a brow.
