Chapter 15 · Transfer Seven

Juno shoved the vial into my hand. The label was smeared but I could read the first two words: Emergency Bypass.

"What is this?"

"Something I stole before I quit." Juno was already pulling Kade's head back, opening his airway. "Inject it into his neck. Right side. Now."

I didn't ask again. The gas was thicker now, yellow-green and crawling across the floor. My eyes burned. Kade wasn't breathing. I popped the cap, found the pulse point below his jaw, and drove the needle in.

Nothing happened.

Then Kade's chest jerked. Once. Twice. His eyes snapped open and he grabbed my wrist hard enough to bruise.

"Mara."

"I'm here."

He let go. Sat up. The relay scar on his chest was glowing red through his shirt, lines spreading like cracks in glass. He looked at Juno.

"What did you give me?"

"A very expensive mistake," Juno said. "You've got maybe ten minutes before your core temp spikes and you seize. So if we're getting out, we do it now."

Crowe's voice came through the speaker again. Calm. Almost bored.

"Sixty seconds, Mara. I'm waiting."

Kade stood.