Chapter 29 · Blackout Ledger - Chapter 29: The Living Bait

"Don't."

Kael's hand closed over mine before I could finish the press. His palm was hot against my knuckles, grip tight enough to hurt.

"Get off me."

"You accept that trade and you're done," he said. "The Ledger doesn't let people walk away."

I twisted my wrist free and slammed my thumb down on the confirmation. The screen flashed green. The countdown vanished.

"Too late."

Kael swore, low and sharp. He didn't try to grab me again. Just stood there, jaw working like he wanted to say something that would fix it.

"Four minutes left on the blackout," I said. "You coming or not?"

He stared at me for half a second. Then he turned and ran.

I followed.

The Hollows at night looked like something out of a demo reel for urban decay. Busted lights, rusted grates, the kind of cold that sat in your chest and stayed there. Kael moved fast, shoulders tight, and I had to push to keep up. My breath came sharp and metallic. The chip hummed under my skin, faint but steady, like it was counting down something I couldn't see.

"Jon," I said into the comm. "You still there?"

Static crackled back.