Page 6 of Princess of Vengeance

That’s probably right. Everything feels distant and fuzzy, like I’m watching this shit happen to someone else. The icy water around my feet isn’t helping, and neither is all the blood I’ve lost.

“Mia cara.” Nico’s face appears in front of mine, his mismatched eyes searching my face. “Tell us what you’re feeling. Now.”

I try to focus, but it’s like trying to think through mud. “Cold,” I manage. “Really fucking cold. And…” I swallow hard as my stomach rolls. “I think I’m gonna puke.”

“Your adrenaline is crashing,” Killian says from somewhere to my left. “Plus the blood loss and this fucking freezing water.”

“We need to get her out of here.” Atlas’s voice rumbles against my back. “She’s not gonna last much longer if we don’t get her somewhere dry and warm.”

“Not to mention we need to treat those stab wounds sooner rather than later,” Killian adds.

The edges of my vision are starting to go dark, and I can’t stop shaking, but I’m not ready to die in a fucking sewer. Not after everything we just survived.

“Killian is right,” Nico says, his voice tight. He’s still holding my hand, and I focus on that touch to stay conscious. “Those stab wounds aren’t fucking around. We need to get you somewhere that has medical supplies.”

“No hospitals,” I manage to get out. “Malcolm will have people watching.”

“No shit.” Atlas adjusts his grip on me, trying to keep me upright. “But we need to get you somewhere before you lose too much blood.”

Killian moves closer, his bulk blocking what little light filters in from the main tunnel. “I know someone. An old army medic. He keeps his mouth shut if you pay him enough.”

“How far?” Atlas asks.

“Other side of the city.”

“Fuck.” Nico’s grip tightens on my hand. “That’s not gonna work, it’s too far away. But we’re still gonna have to move through the sewers for a while. Malcolm will have eyes everywhere above ground near Noctura.”

They’re right. Going up too soon would be suicide, plain and simple. But the thought of staying down here makes my stomach turn again.

“The main tunnel has been quiet,” Atlas says. “Do you think they gave up searching this section?”

“For now.” Killian says. “But they’ll be back. Probably with more men.”

“We need to move.” Nico drops my hand, and I hear him checking his gun. “Killian, can you carry her? She’s not gonna make it far on her own.”

“Yeah. Hey, siren?” Killian’s breath is warm against my ear. “I’m gonna pick you up. Try not to pass out.”

“Fuck off,” I mutter, trying to push away from the wall. “I can walk.” But my legs are about as steady as a drunk freshman at last call, and I stumble on my first step.

Killian doesn’t say a word, just scoops me up like I weigh nothing. I try to protest again, but he cuts me off.

“Let me do this for you. You’ve lost enough blood to fill a fucking bathtub.”

He’s right, and we both know it. So I give in, letting my head rest against his broad, muscular chest as we move back into the main tunnel.

Atlas takes point, his gun ready, while Nico covers our rear. The sound of water splashing under their boots echoes off the concrete walls as we make our way deeper into the maze of tunnels.

“When we get out of here,” Killian murmurs, his voice so low only I can hear it, “I’m gonna clean those wounds properly. Then you’re getting the hottest bath you’ve ever had.”

I try to focus on his words instead of the burning pain. “That’s promising… a lot.”

“And I always deliver.” His arms tighten around me as he steps over something. “We’ll get a bottle of whiskey too. The good stuff, not that cheap shit you drink.”

“Fuck you,” I manage, but there’s no heat in it.

“You’re getting mouthy already? Good. That’s a good sign. Now stay awake and keep arguing with me.” His chest rumbles against my cheek as he talks. “I’m gonna wrap you up in the softest blankets I can find. We’ll let you rest while we take care of everything.”

Maybe that should sound patronizing, but it doesn’t. Maybe because I know he means every word, or maybe because I’m too tired to care. Either way, I let his voice anchor me as we make our way through the darkness.

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