Steve feels the little gout of blood that comes when Dorian wrenches his weapon free, but Dorian's scream locks Steve in place. The metal hits under his chin and gashes up across his left cheek and ear.

He has a friend's viscera under his nails.

Fingertips around bone, slick as barbecue, and Steve only realizes what's happening when the resounding crack makes him heave reflexively. Dorian's rib comes away in his hand, one end rounded, the other ragged with bone spurs. His hand raises the bone, broken edge down, and Steve freezes again.

Dorian is immortal. He knows Dorian is immortal. He'd be all right if Steve let the blow fall.

But he won't.