Chapter 28 · he murmured

She flinched as if he had struck her.

Kael rose slowly, forcing her boot aside. He moved close enough that the muzzle rested directly between his brows. Sila’s arm was straight now, but her shoulder had started to tremble.

He put his forehead against the barrel.

The metal was cold. Her hand was not.

"There," he murmured. "No angle. No tricks. If you think I’m lying, pull it."

"Stop making this easy."

"It isn’t easy. You’re just tired of being the only one willing to make the ugly choice."

"You think one kiss makes you understand me?"

"No. I think you kissed me because you wanted one second where the decision belonged to you."

Her breath caught.

Kael kept his eyes on hers. "Take it. Choose."

"If I let you access the node, you could take control of every system left alive."

"Yes."

"You could erase my command codes. Lock me out. Turn my own people against me."

"Yes."

"You could become exactly what Viktor says you are."

"Yes."

"And you still want me to trust you?"

"No. I want you to hold the gun while I do it."

The outer door split another inch.

Through the gap, something growled.