Chapter 8 · What now?

She nearly crashed into him when he stopped at the next junction. His arm shot out across her chest, blocking her.

"What now?" she snapped.

He lifted one finger.

Lila listened.

A faint clicking came from the dark ahead. Metal legs. More than one set.

"Drones," she whispered.

"Three."

"Can you take them?"

"Yes."

"Will you stay human while you do it?"

His eyes slid toward her. "Define human."

"Don't make jokes."

"That was not a joke."

The drones came around the bend, low and fast, their red sensors locking onto them.

Cain pushed Lila behind him.

She grabbed his belt and yanked him back. "No."

"Stay behind me."

"No."

"Lila."

"If you go feral in this tunnel, I can't stop you without hitting the switch."

"Then don't miss."

The first drone fired.

Cain twisted. The shot scorched his upper arm instead of entering his chest. He caught the drone by its front frame and slammed it into the wall.

The second leaped over him.

Lila fired upward. The bullet cracked through its sensor. It spun sideways and crashed into the pipes.

The third darted behind Cain.

"Behind you!" she shouted.

Cain turned too late.