Chapter 17 · Marked Registry - Chapter 17: Termination Order

Cain's already pulling me back before I can lunge at the glass.

"Let go," I snap, but his grip's iron and I'm still seeing Mia's face—pale, terrified, mouthing don't—and Horne standing behind her like he owns her.

Like he owns all of us.

"You go in there, you die." Cain's voice is flat. No room for argument. "That's what he wants."

I twist around, and I don't care that my claws are halfway out or that my voice cracks. "She's right there. Right there, Cain, and you want me to just—"

"Yes." He doesn't blink. "I want you to stay alive long enough to actually help her."

I shove him. Hard. He barely moves.

"You lied to me," I say, and it comes out raw. "You said you'd help. You said—"

"I am helping." His jaw tightens. "This is me helping. You think charging in there ends any way but with both of you dead?"

I want to scream. I want to rip the whole building apart. Instead I'm stuck in this dim hallway with my best friend ten feet away and a guy who won't let me save her.

Horne's still visible through the window.