Chapter 59. The Weight of Water

The river kept echoing in her ears long after they’d left the bridge.

The splash of Price’s body. The way the water had swallowed him, fast and merciless, like he’d never been there at all. No chance to reach, no chance to pull him back. Just gone.

Riven gripped her handlebars tighter, bandages damp with blood, jacket heavy against her ribs. Every bump in the road jarred the box hidden there. Every engine around her growled too loud, too close.

By the time they pulled through the sagging gate, the junkyard was waiting—riders clustering, eyes sharp, fire pit spitting sparks into pale daylight.

Engines died. Silence pressed heavier than smoke.

Someone asked, though they all knew. “Where’s Price?”

Riven stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Kenzie’s voice carried before Axel could answer. “He took the quick route downriver. Ravens gave him the shove.”

The crowd erupted. Eyes cut toward Riven. Too many.

Everything she meant to sa