Page 304 of Primal

“My name.”

She swallows. “Kade Benjamin Mercer.”

Like benediction. The only prayer I’ve ever needed.

I kiss her.

Her fingers sink into my hair.

She pulls away. Scowls. “You’re a fucking mess.”

“Yours, though.”

She swats my chest. “Idiot. You’re bleeding.”

“Worth it.”

Her eyes flash—green again, just her. “Next time? Try talking to me instead of impaling yourself.”

Her hands return to the wound, gentler now, her touch a brand and a balm. “We have to go.”

“Yeah.”

She doesn’t move. I don’t let go.

Here, it’s just the unholy truth that I’d burn the world down to keep this.

“Kade …” Her hand bears down on the wound.

Good. Pain keeps me present.

“I’m so sorry I thought it was you. H-he’s got Kristy. The real killer—”

“Steve.”

“How … how’d you know?”

I smear the blood on her cheek. “Stephen D. Maddox. Got fired last year for stealing footage.”

A full-body shiver wracks her. “He told us his name was Derek. Derek Vahn.”

“Irrelevant. The ‘D’ stands for dead.”

Her breath stutters at some memory playing out. “Then some guy walked in, called him Steve, and—” She swallows. “Derek slit his throat. Like he did to Jessica. There was another body … Nate. He killed them both and—” Her watch buzzes. Her eyes snap to mine. “We have to go back. Now.”

She lunges for the trail. I snag her wrist, spin her into me.

“It’s a trap.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should.” My grip tightens. “He wants you running in blind. Wants you begging.”

“I promised Kristy.” Her free hand shoves at my chest. “For fuck’s sake, I already lost Lana. I’m not losing her.”

“We need a plan.”

“There’s no time!” She runs.