Page 346 of Primal

Gun’s gone but the threat stays branded. He grabs my hair, yanks my head sideways. “Watch.”

Josh’s face swims into view. His Adam’s apple bobs. “N—no. No, please, I’m—I’m sorry—please, no—”

The blade flashes.

“Stop,” I whisper. “You win, Derek. You fucking—”

One smooth pull.

Blood gushes over my face. Hot. Iron. Death.

I can’t see. I can’t fucking see.

That same gurgling sound.

A hand clutches mine.

Kade.

His grip is the only thing left.

Josh clips the altar as he goes down, shoulder knocking into mine.

My lungs burn. I’m drowning in fire. Drenched in red.

Takes every shred of will to roll sideways. Kade’s fingers curl tighter around mine as I retch. Nothing comes out. Just dry heaves that split me open.

I plant my palm flat to the marble, force myself to sit up.

Kade shifts with me, still holding my hand. Just enough to put himself between me and Derek.

I wipe my face, my neck. My hair’s matted and sticky, hoodie soaked through.

“Josh—Josh! Somebody help him!”

My vision’s blurry, but I can see Kristy now—sobbing. They all are.

“Josh…” Wesley’s staggering toward the altar, hands still zip-tied, face streaked with tears and snot. “Hold on, man—I’m coming—”

Amanda doesn’t hesitate.

The taser snaps.

Wesley seizes. Drops like his spine’s unplugged.

“Fuck you,” he grits out. “Fuck all of you!”

Derek sighs. “And that’s why we don’t rush the stage, folks.”

Amanda and Derek turn their backs on Josh.

Gurgling.

Blood.

Seeping into the grooves of the altar.

Wesley’s scream cuts through the chapel—