Chapter 55. Blood on the Riverbank

Blood seeped through the gauze wrapped around her fingers as she clutched the pipe tighter. Each heartbeat sent fresh waves of fire racing from her palms up her arms. She couldn’t get enough air—just quick, ragged gasps that barely filled her lungs.

“Behind you!” Axel’s voice bounced off the vaulted ceiling as his pipe connected with a Raven’s skull.

The impact vibrated through the church—a body crumpling against the far wall, ancient wood cracking beneath the weight. Everywhere now: dark figures lunging between pews, boot heels hammering against the floor, stained glass raining down in jewel-toned shards.

The Raven looming over her swung his boot into the box, sending it skidding away with a metallic screech against worn oak. A sudden jerk at her neck—the chain in his fist yanking her forward until her balance failed and her shoulder slammed into the hard edge of a pew.

Her vision blurred, but rage burned hot enough to cut through.

She twisted, wrap