Chapter 33 · That's fake

He tapped two fingers against the tablet on the counter.

A seal flashed across its screen. Council authorization. Full medical custody. Emergency classification.

Kane stared at it.

"That's fake," he said.

"Call the council."

"They'll be dead by morning."

Victor's eyes held his for one beat too long.

Selena noticed. Her head turned toward Kane.

"What did you just say?"

Kane pulled his wrists against the restraints until the metal cut skin.

"I said your council is stupid. That's not new information."

"You said they'll be dead by morning."

"A guess."

"You don't guess."

Victor's attention returned to Kane. There it was again—that quiet, hungry focus. Not surprise. Confirmation.

Kane felt the trap closing and hated that his body was too weak to break it.

"Get me out of this chair," he said to Selena.

"Answer me first."

"You want answers? Cut off his hands."

"Kane."

"What? He touches me, I get difficult. That's how this works."

Selena stepped closer. Her knee brushed the side of his chair. She smelled faintly of gun oil and the sharp soap she used after every mission. Her free hand reached down and caught his jaw.

Her palm was warm.