Chapter 59 · He knows something

"He knows something."

"He knows how to bait you."

"He knows what I am."

Silas pressed his palm against the backup screen.

The killbox doors began to lock.

"You are not a soldier," Silas said. "You are the first successful body in the God-tier line. Every instinct you have was written by me. Every person you ever protected was selected by me. Even her."

Lila's face hardened. "Me?"

"Your father brought you to the project before you could walk. He wanted a control subject. Someone whose genetic markers could keep Cain stable."

"Shut your mouth."

"You were never his rescuer, girl. You were his key."

Cain looked at Lila.

She didn't meet his eyes.

That hurt worse than the collar.

"Tell me he's lying," Cain said.

"Cain—"

"Tell me."

Her lips pressed together.

Silas watched them both, enjoying the silence.

Lila finally looked up. "I didn't know. Not all of it."

"But you knew something."

"I knew my blood opened the vault. I knew the code stopped your seizures. I didn't know why."

"You brought me here anyway."

"I brought you here because I thought the files could save my brother.