Chapter 15 · They're not copies

"They're not copies."

"Then what are they?"

"Backups."

The word came from somewhere below his thoughts. It carried no emotion. No fear. Just a cold certainty that did not belong to him.

Sila crossed the room under fire. She grabbed the back of his jacket and yanked him away from the ring.

The clamp held.

"Break it," she ordered.

"I can't."

"You always say that right before you do something insane."

"This one is different."

"Why?"

Kael turned his head. Her face was close enough that her breath warmed his cheek.

"Because I think I'm the backup."

Her grip went still.

A round hit the column beside them. Stone burst across Sila's hair.

"You're standing right here," she said.

"That doesn't mean I'm the original."

"You're Kael."

"You don't know that."

"I know you complain, bleed, and make terrible plans. That's enough for me."

"You saw the pod. You saw my face in there."

"I saw a machine with your face."

"Same thing."

"No."

She grabbed his jaw and forced him to face her. Her thumb pressed against the seam beneath his eye.