Chapter 7 · The Bone Needle

Kyle's fingers closed around my wrist before the serum vial cleared the tray.

"Put it down, Storm."

I tightened my grip. The glass pressed into my palm, cold and smooth against the heat crawling under my skin.

"You keep calling it yours," I said. "Funny. I don't remember giving it to you."

Kyle twisted my wrist until the vial almost slipped. His white coat brushed my shoulder. He smelled like antiseptic, metal, and the bitter herbs he used to numb inmates before cutting them open.

"You don't give anything here," he said. "You surrender it."

"Then take it."

I drove my knee into his thigh.

He grunted and let go for half a second. Half a second was enough. I shoved the vial into the waistband of my trousers and turned for the med-bay door.

The lock clicked.

Kyle had already sealed it.

Of course he had.

The med-bay was small, all steel counters and strapped-down beds. No windows. No weapon I could reach.