Chapter 9 · He remembered this part. The first time, he

He remembered this part.

The first time, he had been strapped into the frame alone. The core had screamed inside his skull. He had watched the display climb past ninety percent, then watched three technicians collapse behind the glass. When Selena finally entered the control booth, she had ordered the frame sealed and walked away.

She had never told anyone why.

Kane looked at her left shoulder.

“Take off your glove.”

“What?”

“Your left glove. Take it off.”

Her pistol lifted from his ribs to his temple.

“Choose your next words carefully.”

“The core won’t sync with two closed circuits.”

“Lie.”

“Your old injury is interfering with the feedback.”

The pistol went still.

Kane felt the air between them tighten.

Selena’s face didn’t change, but her thumb stopped tapping.

“What injury?”

“The one under your left shoulder blade.”

Her eyes turned cold enough to cut.

“You’ve never seen my back.”

“Not in this life.”

“Tell me.”

“Blade wound. Narrow entry. Scar tissue pulled tight when you raise your arm.”

“Who told you?”

“You did.”

“I told no one.”

“Exactly.”

The cockpit fell silent except for the core’s rising hum.

Selena’s pistol remained against his temple.