the fire in my shoulder flared even brighter and the numbness began to creep across the rest of my body.
He toed my back, then retreated quickly. I didn't react. He tried again, harder this time. I moaned - a sound that was real and heartfelt because he'd hit the broken bone. He chortled softly, then stepped over me.
I lashed upward with a booted foot, striking him hard in the nuts. As he stumbled and dropped, I twisted upright, driving the balustrade into his upper arm, forcing it through flesh and muscle and then into his side, pinning his arm to his body. He screamed, his fingers jerking reflexively and releasing the gun. I twisted, knocking him off his feet, then jumped to mine, staggering forward for the weapon.
"Jack," I panted, as I wrapped my fingers around the gun. I swung around and smashed it across the wolf's face. He went down and didn't move. "Get someone here quickly. I've been shot by silver and I'm fading fast."
He swore. "The men?"
"Out of action for the moment." My back hit the wall and I slumped down its length, my rump hitting the floor hard enough to send a wave of pain through me. For a moment, I saw red. Sweat broke out across my forehead and stung my eyes. I blinked fiercely and tried to concentrate on the wolf. He might be unconscious right now, but if the bastard woke and so much as twitched in my direction, I'd shoot him. And right now, with the silver burning in my flesh, I didn't really care if I killed him or not.
"The team is four and a half minutes away," Jack said. "Hang in there, Riley."
I wasn't going to make four minutes. I doubted I'd even make two. The burning was getting worse and my hand was beginning to shake so hard I'd be in danger of shooting myself if I actually fired the weapon.
"Cass," I yelled, my voice hoarse and scratchy. "I need help here."
There was no immediate response, and I can't really say I blamed her.
"Cass," I screamed. "The men are down, Directorate reinforcements are almost here, and I've been shot. I really, really need your help."
"They're three minutes away," Jack said into my ear.
Really? I thought, a little dazedly. Cole was really pushing the speed limits.
The numbness was beginning to creep up my neck. Breathing was getting harder. Oh god. I couldn't die - I didn't want to die. Not like this.
Strength flooded me - a strength that was love and warmth and everything that was still right with my world. It battered the numbness away from my neck, allowing me to breathe a little easier. It didn't erase it - it couldn't erase it - just subverted it, sending it down toward my legs rather than into my chest and throat. It bought me time, and I needed that desperately.
You will not die, Riley, Quinn said. I won't allow it. Keep breathing. Keep fighting. I'm on my way.
No, I thought weakly. Don't. I'll be fine.
And even as I said it, I knew he'd ignore me. And part of me was mighty glad of that fact.
After a few more precious seconds, footsteps echoed on the stairs, heading down.
"Riley?" Cass's voice was tentative, as if she were ready to flee given the slightest provocation.
"Here," I croaked.
Her head appeared in my line of sight, but it was fuzzy. Or maybe it was just my eyesight that was fuzzy. Her gaze widened when she saw me, and her face went white.
"Oh god," she said, one hand over her mouth.
"Yeah," I said. "He was using silver bullets. I need you to take it out."
"Two minutes," Jack intoned. "Hang on."
Cass drew in a shuddering breath and said "I can't - "
"You can," I interrupted harshly. "You must."
I put the gun down on the floor. My hand was shaking far too hard now for it to be safe.
She made a distressed sound low in her throat, then took another breath. "I'll get Marla. She's better at - "
"No. You need to do it. Now."
"But I haven't got any tools - "
"You have hands, Cass. Just hook a finger into the wound and dig it out."
"Oh, fuck." But she dropped down beside me and a hand touched my shoulder. Her fingers were shaking almost as much as mine.
Find something to bite down onto, Quinn suggested. It'll help.
I groped for some wood then shoved it in my mouth as she took another deep breath. "Okay."
That was all the