Chapter 26 · Then she shoved at my chest. “Get off

Then she shoved at my chest. “Get off me.”

“Ask nicely.”

“Kai.”

That single word landed harder than the bullets.

I let her go.

She stepped away, but not far. Her fingers stayed on my sleeve for one breath before she pulled them back.

The shooter reloaded.

Lilith looked toward the sound. “We’re out of time.”

The console behind us flickered back on.

[DEATH WINDOW: 00:01:04]

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll take Blackout Field.”

“You’ll take it now.”

“I need a live link.”

“I can give you one.”

“You said the archive was isolated.”

“It is.”

“Then where did you get the link?”

Her expression went still.

I pointed the stolen rifle at her.

“Lilith.”

The remaining mercenary fired from the other side of the room.

She grabbed my wrist and yanked the barrel down. The bullet punched into the floor.

“Later,” she said.

“There might not be a later.”

“There will be if you stop interrogating me.”

“You’re the one holding the secret.”

“I’m holding the only thing that can keep your brain from cooking.”

“Cute. You’ve got leverage.”

“I always have leverage.