Chapter 29 · Backup Vessel

Sloane's blade was already at her wrist.

I didn't have time to argue. The feed was still cycling—my sister strapped into that chair, cables snaking into her arms, and a label burned across the bottom of the screen in cold white text: BACKUP VESSEL ONE.

"Do it," I said.

Sloane's hand shook. The edge bit into her skin, a thin red line blooming where the control mark twisted up her forearm like a brand. She sucked in a breath through her teeth.

"It's going to hurt," she said.

"Everything hurts. Cut it."

Nox pressed against my ribs, cold and sharp. It wasn't talking, but I felt it anyway—coiled tight, ready to move the second Sloane's leash snapped.

The blade went deeper. Blood welled up, black at the edges where the mark tried to hold. Sloane's jaw locked, and for a second I thought she'd stop. Then she dragged the edge down, slow and deliberate, splitting the mark open like a seam.

The air cracked.

Not loud. Just wrong. Like something that shouldn't bend had finally broken.

Sloane staggered. I caught her shoulder before she hit the floor. Her arm was a mess—