Chapter 21 · Blackout Ledger - Chapter 21: Brother in Chains

"Move and he drops." Ilyra's voice cut through the doorway before I saw her face.

I froze. Kael's hand landed on my shoulder, firm enough to hold me in place.

The door swung wide. Ilyra stood in the corridor, one hand resting on a remote. Behind her, two guards held my brother upright between them. His wrists were cuffed. His head hung forward, dark hair stuck to his forehead with sweat, but his eyes were open.

Awake.

For the first time in three years, Eli was awake.

"Raina." His voice cracked on my name.

I tried to step forward. Kael's grip tightened.

"Easy," he said, low enough that only I heard. "She wants you to run."

"Let him go." My voice came out steadier than I felt. "He's got nothing to do with this."

Ilyra smiled. "He's got everything to do with this. You stole city property to pay his medical debt. You ripped a system core out of a dead runner's wrist because you thought it would buy you one more month."

She stepped closer. The guards dragged Eli forward with her.

"Now the system's in your head," she said, "and I need it back."

"Then take it.