Chapter 18 · Untitled Chapter

"Mika—look at me!" Cade's voice scraped out as her hand locked around his throat.

Her fingers felt like steel bands. He caught her wrist with both hands and pulled. Nothing moved. Not even an inch.

"Mika, please." His knees struck the concrete. "It's me. It's Cade."

"Compliance test in progress." Her voice came out flat and layered, two voices speaking half a second apart. "Do not interfere."

"That's not you." Black crept into the edges of his vision. "I know you're in there."

"Subject shows resistance. Increasing pressure."

"Don't—" The word broke apart. Cade clawed at her arm, his lungs burning. A distant part of him did the math anyway. If she killed him, would the Bond stop her? Would it stop both of them?

The Arbiter watched from across the room, silver mask hiding his eyes. His hands rested together as if he had all night.

"Interesting," he said. "The host is fighting the command and losing. Log that."

"Let her go," Cade forced out.

"She's not holding you." The Arbiter tilted his head. "The implant is. Different problem."

Cade's vision narrowed to Mika's face. Her silver eyes held no pupils. No recognition.