Page 205 of Stay Scared

Rook proves it by wrenching the metal toward us.

Cade steps in front of me and starts pushing me toward the operator doorway with his back.

“Get out.”

I grab his shirt. “You are bleeding.”

“I have noticed.”

Rook manages to free one leg. The chair shifts again.

Cade looks over his shoulder. “Salem, move.”

The way he says my name sends heat and fear through me. He is one bad movement away from climbing onto the platform and beating Rook unconscious with his bare hands.

I step back. Cade follows only until I reach Ash.

Then he turns around.

Rook still has the broken arm.

Cade crouches. “Come on.”

Rook lunges as far as the restraint allows. Cade catches the weapon, and they struggle over it as the platform shifts beneath them both.

“Cade!”

He looks at me.

“Get away from the chair.”

Rook yanks. Cade keeps his grip.

Ash crosses the distance and grabs Cade by the back of his shirt.

Cade swings before realizing who touched him. Ash takes the fist against his shoulder.

“Off the platform.”

“He has a weapon.”

“And Salem is five feet behind you.”

That reaches him.

Cade looks at me.

Rook uses the distraction to swing. The steel catches Cade across the injured ribs, folding him in half.

Ash catches him before he hits the floor and drags him backward.

Rook raises the weapon again. His reach ends several feet short.

For the first time since Cade entered, space surrounds the chair.

“Now,” Ash says.

I rip the locking pin from the red handle and squeeze.