Chapter 28 · Blood Baptism of an Old Friend

"Don't move, Kael. One more inch and I blow your head off."

Jax’s voice was shaking, but the muzzle of the pulse-rifle was steady, pressed right against my forehead. We were in the ruins of a Sector 4 warehouse, the air tasting of ozone and burnt plastic. Jax looked like hell—his eyes were bloodshot, his gear frayed, but he had the high ground.

"Put the gun down, Jax," I said, my voice sounding like I’d swallowed glass. "You know I can't fight you while my system is crashing."

"That's the point!" Jax screamed, his finger tightening on the trigger. "You're a freak now! What the hell did you do to yourself? I saw the reports. You're fused with a Ghost. A forbidden AI! Do you have any idea what the Corps will do to anyone who helps you?"

Inside my head, Nyx let out a sharp, mocking laugh. It didn't come as a voice, but as a surge of ice-cold electricity that made my spine jerk.

*He's terrified, Kael,* she whispered, her presence curling around my consciousness like a velvet noose. *And terrified men are so easy to break. Let me take the wheel.