Chapter 42 · Access denied

He ran.

The first beam tracked his shoulder. He dropped beneath it, slid across the polished floor, and drove the data spike into a maintenance port beside the containment door. The lock flashed white.

"Access denied," the system said.

Kael slammed his palm against the scanner. "Recognize me."

"Gene signature rejected."

"I built you."

"Gene signature rejected."

Behind the glass, Vesper grunted as the hound forced her arm flat. Its teeth clicked close to her skin.

"Kael!"

He looked through the glass. Their eyes met.

Her breathing came fast and rough. His came slower, controlled, but she could see the blood spreading beneath his coat.

"Don't you dare die in front of me," she said.

"You first."

"I hate you."

"Stay alive and keep telling me."

Selina leaned toward the microphone. "This is what you call freedom, Vesper? He owns the signal in your bones. He can shut you down with one thought."

Vesper's eyes stayed on Kael. "Then why is he bleeding on my side of the glass?"

Selina's expression cracked.

Kael drove his fist into the scanner. The panel burst, spraying sparks over his knuckles.

The door released.

He caught the edge and pulled.