Chapter 21 · Grind, Loot, Survive - Chapter 21: Black Market Hustle

"Move, Milo. Now."

Selene shoved me through the crooked archway just as the first red drone fired.

The bolt cracked against the stone above my head. Chips punched my cheek. I stumbled into a packed alley full of hanging cages, stacked crates, and people who looked way too comfortable carrying swords.

Selene caught the back of my coat and yanked me behind a stall.

"You call that moving?" I asked.

"You stopped to wave at the murder machines."

"I was being polite."

"Be polite after we stop bleeding."

She pressed two fingers against my shoulder. Her glove came away dark with blood. Mine, probably. The pain had been waiting for a quiet moment, and apparently this alley was not getting one.

Above us, the drones hovered beyond the archway. Their lenses glowed red through the smoke. Every few seconds, one clicked and adjusted its aim.

Bram's voice snapped through the link in my ear.

"Tell me you made it inside."

"We made it inside," I said.

"Tell me Selene didn't shoot you."

"She shoved me. Different kind of affection."

Selene's hand closed around my jaw and turned my face toward her. Her eyes were cold, sharp, and much too close.