“Go!” someone yells. “We’ve got you covered!”
Muzzle flashes light up the edges of my sight as they form a line, pushing forward, laying down heavy fire.
Jace keeps a grip on my arm, steering me, shielding me with his body when bullets spark too close. Every so often, I catch sight of Luca’s back ahead of us. Noah adjusts his hold, muttering something I can’t make out.
My legs move because Jace makes them move. The air smells like smoke, blood, and dust. My lungs burn. Another shouted order. More covering fire. The roar of the chaos chases us until I realize we’ve made it outside the compound.
I glance down at my hands. Stained and shaking. I keep walking, because if I stop now, I might never start again.
The black Guild transport waits ahead, engine rumbling low. Its back hatch gapes open, a dark mouth ready to swallow us whole.
Luca and Noah don’t slow as they carry Tex. His head lolls against Luca’s shoulder, hair brushing his jaw. They lift him in like he’s weightless, even though I know he’s not. His boots hit the metal floor, the hollow thunk makes my stomach flip.
Jace all but shoves me up after them, climbing in last. The hatch slams down, locking out the chaos outside. For a second, the only sound is the engine shifting into a deeper growl.
We’re moving.
The benches on either side of the transport are hard, cold. I lower myselfonto one, my rifle sliding from my shoulder to the floor with a muted clunk. My hands don’t want to unclench.
Luca sits across from me, Tex’s body stretched along the bench beside him. One of Tex’s arms has fallen from his chest, swinging slightly with the motion of the vehicle. Noah leans forward, gripping that arm, holding it still. I’m grateful because I can’t stand to see it sway.
Nobody speaks.
The dim interior lights paint everything in muted tones. It makes the smear of Tex’s blood on Luca’s cheek look darker. Noah’s jaw works like he’s grinding his teeth down to powder.
Jace sits beside me, close enough that his thigh presses against mine, but I can’t look at him. I’m afraid if I do, I’ll fall apart, and I can’t afford to let the last pieces shatter completely.
The transport jolts over a bump, and I catch myself glancing toward Tex. He looks toostill. The thought hits like a knife in my gut, and I jerk my gaze back to the floor. We don’t speak for the entire ride back. My shoulders slump forward. His absence is pressing down on me. The others look the same. I wonder if they feel it too.
The emptiness.
The transport slows, brakes hissing as we roll into the underground bay beneath the Guild’s main building. Cold, sterile light floods the space—too bright after the dark ride. It makes everything feel harsher. Reality is clawing its way back in.
Medics are already waiting. Two rush forward. Luca and Noah don’t need to be told. They lift Tex together. His boots drag before they get him fully onto the waiting stretcher. I follow, my feet moving in time with theirs.
The medics check for what I already know isn’t there—a pulse, breath,life. One shakes his head almost imperceptibly, the other mutters and nods.
“Time of death, twenty-three seventeen.”
The words don’t make sense. He can’t be…
A white sheet is pulled from the foot of the stretcher, unfolding in a whisper of fabric. They lay it over him, smoothing it down until he’s hidden from view.
Gone.
This can’t be real. My throat burns. I blink hard, but the tears spill anyway, warm streaks cutting through the cold on my cheeks. I don’t sob. I don’t even breathe right. The usually seamless exchange of air is uneven. I stand there, watching the edge of that sheet.
Luca’s jaw is locked, his eyes on the wall behind the medics, as if he doesn’t look down, it won’t be real. Noah’s hand is still gripping the side rail, knuckles white. Jace’s hand finds my shoulder, a grounding weight that keeps me from tipping over completely.
They wheel Tex toward the lift.
“Wait.” My voice rings out.
I rush over, and the medics step back, giving me space. I peel the sheet down from his face.
“Tex,” I whisper, my mouth dry. “Wake up.” I press a hand to his cheek, his stubble rough against my skin. My breath hitches.
His skin is cooler to the touch, but the last of his warmth seeps into my greedy fingers.
