Chapter 30 · Don't Call Me That

My sister just called me Calla.

That's not my name. That was Mom's.

I'm across the med bay before Sloane can grab my arm. My boots skid on the tile and I catch myself on the edge of Liv's cot. Her eyes are open. Gray like mine but wrong—like someone else is looking out through them.

"Liv." My voice cracks. "Liv, it's me. It's Mara."

She blinks slow. Her lips move but nothing comes out at first. Then, quiet as a cut: "You brought it back."

Not *you came back*. Not *you're here*. She's looking past me. At Nox.

The shadow pools at my feet, sluggish and too warm. It's been bleeding black light since we tore through the fight floor. Since it ate half a core blast meant for Sloane's brother. The poison's still working through it. I can feel it like fever under my ribs.

"Liv, listen to me." I grip the edge of the cot. "We're getting you out. Right now. Sloane's clearing the hall and Kade's got a route through the lower dock. You just need to stand up."

Her gaze slides back to me. There's recognition there. I see it. But there's something else too.