Page 89 of Tempest’s Torment

Kai.

Relief hits so hard my knees almost give out.

I answer. "Kai."

"Lilah." His voice is sharp. "What's happening?"

"Jinx was outside, he's bleeding. He told me not to open the door and then he disappeared. Savage isn't here and now there's smoke coming under the door."

"Did you open it?"

"No."

"Good. Don't."

"I'm not."

"Where are you?"

"Bedroom."

"Fire escape?"

"Yeah."

"Look down."

"I did. There's nobody there."

"Stay on the phone with me."

I cough again. Smoke is starting to creep into the bedroom.

"Kai, I have to get out."

"I want you on the fire escape. Stay where I can hear you."

I climb through the window. The metal is freezing beneath my bare feet. "I'm out."

"I'm coming back."

"Where are you?"

"Ten minutes."

Ten minutes. I look at the smoke gathering behind the window. I don't have ten minutes.

"Start down," he says. "Slow and keep talking."

I grip the railing. "I'm moving."

"Good."

I take the first set of stairs, my hands are shaking, but I make it down one floor.

"Kai?"

"I'm here."