Ava’s POV
Eli and I staggered along the black lane, our breaths raspy and mixing with the coolness of the night as the wind swept over her hair. Every stride seemed like a curse as much as a success. Marconi was gone, but so was any sort of protection we might have grabbed. My ideas flew, every one darker than the next. I looked at Eli; his face was pallid and his gait was heavy.
"You have to relax," I advised, sounding worried. Blood flowed across the improvised bandage around his side. You are bleeding way too much.
He shook his head, his eyes flashing. Away from here. We have to move farther away.
Though it would not make any difference, I knew he was right. Every fall, every grimace that graced his face tightened my heart. We persisted, negotiating tight spaces until we came to an
