Chapter 21 · The Living Incubator

"Hold still, Ronin. If I cut that line, I can get her out."

His hand closed around my wrist before the blade touched the glass.

The grip hurt. His palm was hot against my skin, even through my torn sleeve. His eyes stayed on the tank, not me, but his thumb pressed hard against the pulse in my wrist.

"You cut the wrong line, Vira, and the whole chamber cooks us alive."

"Then tell me which line is right."

"The one you don't touch."

I jerked against him. "That is not an answer."

"It's the only one keeping you breathing."

Behind us, Kyle gave a soft, amused clap.

"Still giving orders while you're trapped in my lab, Commander?" he asked. "That's adorable."

Ronin's shoulders went tight. A black cable ran from the metal collar around his throat to the wall behind him. Another looped around my waist, its tiny red light blinking against my ribs. The tank stood six feet away, filled with pale blue fluid and the body of a woman who looked too much like him.

His sister.

Her hair floated around her face. Tubes disappeared beneath her ribs and throat. A clear mask covered her mouth.