Chapter 19 · The Trigger Word

"Cain, let go of me. Now."

His fingers tightened around Lila's wrist.

Pain shot up her arm. His hand was hot, even through the torn sleeve of her jacket. Blood ran from a cut above his eyebrow, down his cheek, and he didn't blink once.

The man who had pulled her out of the monster swarm was gone.

This Cain stood over her like a locked door with a body attached to it.

"You heard me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Let go."

His head tilted toward the ceiling speaker.

Static cracked overhead. Then Silas spoke, calm and clear, like he was giving instructions to a machine on a workbench.

"Unit C-9. Secure the female. Move to the eastern lift. Do not damage the asset."

Cain turned Lila's arm behind her back.

Her shoulder screamed.

"Cain!"

He dragged her forward.

Lila kicked the back of his knee. It would have dropped a normal man. Cain barely shifted. His grip locked harder, and his other hand caught the front of her jacket.

"Don't make me hurt you," he said.

The voice sounded like him. The flatness didn't.

"That is not you talking."

"Move."

"No.