Chapter 25 · Trade Her In

Victor's voice cut through the cockpit like a knife through vacuum seal.

"Hand over Kira's body, and everybody else walks."

I stared at the comms panel. Senna's hand was still on the flight stick, knuckles white. The ship was drifting, barely holding course, and the silence between us felt heavier than atmo.

"He means it," Senna said. Her voice was flat. Dead.

I swallowed. My throat felt like I'd been breathing recycled air for too long. "Yeah. I know."

"He'll let me go. The passengers. Even the ship." She turned her head, just enough that I could see the edge of her jaw. "All he wants is you."

I didn't answer. What was I supposed to say? That I was worth more than a bunch of strangers? That my life mattered more than hers?

It didn't.

"Kira." Senna let go of the stick. The ship kept drifting. "Don't do this."

"I'm not doing anything."

"You're thinking about it." She stood up, stepped back from the console. Her face was pale, and there was something in her eyes I didn't want to look at. "You're thinking about walking out there and letting him take you."

I shrugged. "Maybe.