Chapter 22 · Blackout Ledger - Chapter 22: The Cost Doubles

"He's breathing." My voice came out flat. I didn't recognize it.

Kael was pinned under the rail. Blood ran from somewhere under his coat, dark and steady, pooling on the concrete. His eyes tracked me, sharp even through the pain.

"Go," he said. "Get your brother out."

"Shut up."

"Raina."

"I said shut up." I dropped to my knees beside the rail. It was industrial steel, the kind they used to reinforce the old transit frames. Had to weigh three hundred kilos, easy. The edges were jagged where it had torn free.

Behind me, my brother was slumped against the wall, chest rising and falling in shallow bursts. Alive. For now.

The chip flared cold in my wrist.

[QUERY LOGGED: ASSET RECOVERY / PRIORITY SHIFT] [NEW DIRECTIVE AVAILABLE]

I ignored it. My hands were already on the rail, trying to get leverage. The metal was slick. My fingers slipped.

"Raina, listen to me." Kael's voice was quieter now, controlled. "You can't lift that. You need to go."

"I'm not leaving you under a piece of scrap."

"Yes, you are." His hand shot out, caught my wrist. His grip was cold, tight enough to hurt. "You came here for him.