Chapter 17 · I didn't—

Then Victor seized control again.

Sloane's hand shot out. A thin metal shard flew from the ruined console and drove into my side.

I staggered.

She stared at the shard in horror.

"I didn't—"

"I know."

Blood warmed my shirt. The pain came a second later, sharp enough to steal my breath.

Victor made her smile.

"There. That was easy."

I pulled the shard free and let it hit the floor.

"You want to hurt me?" I called to him. "Use your own hands."

"Why would I waste them?"

"Because you don't have any."

The speakers went silent.

Sloane's head tilted.

"Careful," she whispered. "He hates that."

"Good."

"He'll make me hurt you again."

"Then fight him."

"I am fighting."

"No. You're warning me. Fight."

Her breathing turned ragged. She pressed both hands against the sides of her head.

"I can't hold him."

"You held me."

"That was different."

"Why?"

"Because you were outside me."

"I'm still outside you."

Victor's voice slid through her teeth. "Not for long."

The blue light inside the hatch flared.

A force yanked Sloane backward.