Page 34 of Martyr (Sterling Falls Rogues #3)

Apollo and I get five Cyclopes in the stairwell.

I’m not sure if they intended on circling around to pin us in—I don’t think it ever got to that point.

But eventually, we run into Kade who smirks at me and gives us a thumbs-up.

He’s got a bit of blood smeared across his forehead and dusted on his Kevlar vest.

“There were no leaders,” he explains. “It was being used as a hang-out spot, but that’s it. We caught it at a good time.”

Right. We get the power back on—Kade and Gabriel were the ones who killed it in the first place—and head back toward the main level. Saint, Jace, and Reese should be around here somewhere.

“Where is Gabriel, by the way?” Apollo asks. He peers over his shoulder, then makes a face at me. “Shouldn’t he be with you?”

“Should be,” Kade grunts. “He slipped away. I assume one of the others will find him soon enough.”

Famous last words. I exchange another look with my brother.

“There you guys are,” Reese calls, coming down one of the staircases that leads to VIP. “Where’s Jace? Saint?”

“Haven’t found them yet,” Kade says.

“And Gabriel is MIA,” I add.

Reese scowls.

“Was there anyone in VIP?” Apollo asks.

“Two. They were drunk, don’t even think they knew there was trouble till I shot the first one.”

Oye.

We make it to the dance floor, which is empty except for a body.

Not a body.

Saint .

Saint is on the floor, curled on his side, and he’s not moving.

“Oh God.” I shove my gun into my brother’s chest and rush across the dance floor, falling to my knees at his side. “Please be alive. Please be alive.”

I push his shoulder and roll him onto his back. It takes me a second to rip through the Velcro of his vest and get access to his chest. I pat him down, feeling for blood, for any wetness, but there’s nothing. There is blood on his temple, nearly blending in with his dark hair.

“ Saint ,” I choke out. I put my fingers to his throat and pray for a pulse.

I hardly believe it when I feel it.

He lets out a low groan, his brows furrowing. He opens his eyes slowly, blinking rapidly.

I lean over him, torn between shaking him for scaring me and?—

His blue eyes lock on to my face, and he smiles.

Smiles?

“Tem,” he breathes.

Something in the way he says it makes my throat close.

He touches my cheek, but he doesn’t seem all here. His arm falls to the floor, his body going limp. His eyes roll back, and he passes out again.