Chapter 17 · And if we can't?

He stepped in front of her again, his body a living shield. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a massive, vaulted chamber. It looked like a cathedral built for something monstrous. Huge, rusted chains hung from the ceiling, and the floor was littered with shattered glass and bleached bones.

Cain scanned the perimeter, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. "We need to find the ventilation shaft. It leads to the Hive's outer rim. If we can get inside the pipes, we can bypass the perimeter guards."

"And if we can't?" Lila asked, glancing at the shadows that seemed to be moving on their own.

"Then we die in a hole," Cain said simply. "But at least we'll be too deep for Silas to enjoy the kill."

Lila let out a sharp, nervous laugh. "You're real comforting, you know that?"

"I'm a weapon, Lila. I wasn't built for comfort."

"Well, maybe you could try," she muttered, stepping closer to him, her shoulder brushing his arm. "Just once. Try not to be a jerk."

Cain stopped and looked at her. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.