Chapter 12 · I built this system

"I built this system."

"You abandoned it."

Celine slammed her hand down a second time. Blood smeared across the scanner. The green light turned amber.

A hidden prompt appeared.

SECONDARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED.

Mira went still.

Celine felt the pause travel through the body. The small catch in the breath. The sudden cold under the skin.

"What is it?" Mira asked.

"You know what it is."

"No. I don't."

"The system wants both users."

The door flew open again.

Three guards crowded the entrance. One carried a restraint gun. Another held a compact black case with Vault Bio's logo stamped on the side.

Celine knew the case.

Neural extraction kit.

Her mother had approved the purchase.

"Mira," Celine said, keeping her voice low. "If they take the interface, neither of us gets out."

"You don't get out."

"You think they'll let you walk away after this?"

Mira looked at the guards. Then at the case. Then down at their own bloodied hands.

"They didn't let me walk away the first time."

The guard raised the restraint gun.

Mira shoved Celine's body toward the terminal.

Celine didn't fight.