Liam gritted his teeth and a low groan escaped his throat as he forced himself upright again. His legs felt hollow, like the bones inside them had been replaced with glass. It took everything in him just to remain standing. His chest was still caved slightly where the fist had landed, each breath sharp and shallow, scraping through him like broken metal.
The entire tunnel had gone quiet.
Vampires, exogens, even the masked men who had been ready to tear into Irina moments ago had paused. They were not afraid of noise or blood. They were watching something else. Watching Liam. Watching The man.
Irina moved first.
She emerged in front of Liam in a blur, her cloak still flowing around her body as she positioned herself between him and The Man. One hand hovered near her side, frost already beginning to gather at her fingertips. Her shoulders were tense, her chin lifted slightly, her eyes calculating.
But Liam reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.
