Chapter 44 · This isn't real

Selena's jaw locked.

She had asked him if he betrayed them.

She had not asked why he did it.

She had been too angry. Too sure. Too busy trying to hold the bastion together while Victor whispered poison into every channel.

"This isn't real," she said.

"It's my memory."

"It's a weapon."

"Then stop standing there and use it."

The execution lights turned toward them.

A targeting ring formed on Kane's chest.

Selena stepped in front of him.

"Move," Kane said.

"No."

"You're going to take the shot?"

"I'm going to change the memory."

"That's not how memories work."

"You don't know how my machine works."

"I know exactly how it works. It takes your worst fear, turns it into a cage, and waits for you to panic."

"Then why are you panicking?"

His mouth closed.

Selena could hear his heartbeat through the link. Fast. Uneven. Matching hers.

She reached for his hand.

He pulled back.

"Don't."

"Hold on to me."

"You don't get to order me around inside my own head."

"I'm the only reason you still have a head."

"That's a terrible selling point."

The targeting ring brightened.

Selena caught his wrist. His skin was burning hot.