Chapter 24 · Untitled Chapter

"Take her down!" Arch's voice cracked across the yard.

Cyrus hit the dirt. Kael's boot slammed onto his chest—not enough to crush him, more than enough to pin him. She kept walking toward the gate, knife loose in her hand.

"Get off him!" Orin shouted.

Kael twisted. Orin hit her from the side, locked both arms around her waist, and went flying into the fence. Two soldiers rushed in behind him. One caught her elbow. She drove an elbow into his jaw. The other took a knee to the stomach and folded.

Cyrus rolled onto his side, coughing. His ribs burned. He reached for Kael's ankle and caught nothing but dirt.

Arch raised his gun. "Don't make me shoot her."

"Then don't." Cyrus shoved himself upright. "She's not choosing this."

"She's going for the kids."

"I know." He staggered after her. "I can stop it. I can fix the mark."

The red ink crawling up Kael's neck pulsed beneath her skin. Her eyes had gone bright and empty. The glow ran down her arm, filling every link of the command chain.

"Cyrus!" Arch barked. "Step away from her!"

"Not happening."

Kael took another step.