Chapter 23 · Untitled Chapter

"Take it."

Reina held out a combat knife, handle first. Marcus had seen her strip and oil it every morning. She never handed it to anyone.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with that?"

"If Shadow takes control, you kill me. Fast. Before he can use my body."

Marcus stared at the blade, then at her face. The auxiliary bunker shook under their feet. Dust sifted from the concrete ceiling. Somewhere above them, something screamed.

He still didn't take the knife.

"You opened the east gate," he said. "Danny saw you do it."

"I opened the way to Shadow's anchor. The bomb was already armed."

"That's not better."

"I know."

The emergency lights washed her in orange and black. A thin line of blood ran from her temple to her jaw. Her breathing stayed even, but her fingers had started to tremble around the knife.

Marcus's chest burned from the run. Three minutes ago, the main hall had filled with copies tearing into one another. Danny had gone down with his wrist split open.