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"Mallory!" I screaon reached the other end of the bridge, banked hard to avoid the buildings on Wacker, and turned to take another shot at us We were going to have to be fast "Give me your hand"

Mallory shook her head, staring at her fingers, as if she could strengthen the"

"I won’t let you fall" But she was a good two feet beneathtoward her

I ht shimmer across the water so, so far below us I could ht--at least onto land The river’s eddied surface was so in the darkness, the dragon bulleted toward nore the void, ducking under the roadway just in tiainst asphalt, the thunder of its wings as it lifted again

"You ever wonder why they call it a death grip?" Mallory asked, as Ithe steel beaave us soon, which screamed somewhere above us, furious that we’d spoiled its fun

"I ht?" She blew bangs frorip?"

"Anyone ever tell you that you get a little loopy when you’re in onna be honest," she said in a hysterical tone "This isn’t the first time"

My foot slipped on wet steel, but I caught ainst the railing

"Merit, oh Jesus, Merit, I’"

"I’reat"

"Hurry, Merit Please"

Her fingers disappeared as I pitched forward--and just ers around her wrist

She ed to bite back the scream, but I could see the terror in her eyes

"Oh God, Merit" Her feet dangled above the river "Oh God"

"You’re going to be just fine Re a pleasant sth wasn’t the issue Water was the issue The slip ofsnow, the slip of her skin inhumidity

"Shit Shit Shit"

"I’ to pull you up on three," I said "One, two"

I didn’t wait for three I duget us out of this, she’d forgive th I coulduntil she was beside ainst ht that was the end ofto just let you go? No, thank you"

She kissed the side of rit "You need a shower"

"You don’t look so good yourself, friend"

"Rude"