Chapter 10 · “Careful,” he said. “Are you warning me?” “I’m

“Careful,” he said.

“Are you warning me?”

“I’m telling you your machine can feel every lie.”

“Then tell the truth.”

“You want the truth?” Kane said. “I need you to keep your hand on mine.”

Her eyes flicked to his mouth again.

“Why?”

“Because if you pull away, the core kills us both.”

“That’s not need. That’s a threat.”

“Same thing in a war.”

A violent crash shook the hangar. The canopy filled with sparks as something punched through the outer blast door. Red emergency lights strobed across Selena’s face.

The comm system came alive.

“Commander, unknown assault team has breached Bay Three. They’re using your authorization code.”

Selena hit the channel. “Seal Bay Three.”

“Already sealed.”

“Then vent it.”

Kane pulled against her grip. “Don’t.”

She glared at him. “They’re inside the bay.”

“They’re not after the bay.”

“Everything in here is classified.”

“They’re after the core.”

“Then I vent it.”

“The core is linked to us.”

Her gaze dropped to the display.

SYNCHRONIZATION: 58%.

“If I vent the bay,” Kane said, “the pressure change will tear the frame loose. We’ll be crushed against the outer wall.”

Selena’s mouth tightened. “You have a better idea?”

“Finish the sync.