Chapter 27 · The Blind Spot

"Reina, don't move."

She froze halfway to the well shaft, her hand still outstretched toward the steel ladder. The control mark on her wrist glowed faint blue in the half-dark, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"Marcus." Her voice stayed level. "You followed me."

"Yeah." I kept the blade low, angled at her spine. "Funny how you knew exactly where to run when the yard went dark."

She turned slow, hands rising. Her eyes tracked the weapon, then my face. "You think I'm the mole."

"I know you're the mole." I stepped closer. "Twenty-six loops. You were always in the right place at the wrong time. Always had an excuse. Always survived just a little longer than you should've."

Her jaw tightened. "So kill me."

"That's the plan."

"Then do it." She didn't blink. "You've done worse."

I had. I'd put blades through students who turned out innocent three loops later. I'd let Danny die sixteen times because I thought he was the weak link. I'd burned through every other suspect on my list and still woken up to the same morning bell and the same cold coffee.

Reina took a breath. "You're not moving."

"Shut up.