Chapter 18 · Bounty Hunter at the Door

"Step back from the girl, Mercer, or I'll paint this floor with your brains," a voice rasped from the doorway.

Jace didn't move. He kept one hand firmly on Lira’s shoulder, feeling her tremble through the thin fabric of her shirt. He didn't need to look to know the guy in the doorway was packing something heavy. The air tasted like ozone and expensive oil—the kind of smell that came with high-end gear.

"You're late to the party," Jace said, his voice flat. "The other guys were much more polite before they died."

"The others were amateurs," the man replied. He stepped into the light, and Jace finally saw him. He was built like a brick wall, wearing a matte-black tactical suit that seemed to swallow the dim light of the room. On his wrist was a glowing blue device, humming with a low, steady frequency. "I'm Kaelen. And you're worth more than this entire sector combined."

Lira shifted, her voice a sharp whisper near Jace's ear. "Jace, that's a Null-Field generator. He's muting the fear."

Jace frowned.