Chapter 22 · The Hound's Kiss

"Don't open that door." Vala's hand locked around my wrist before I could touch the emergency latch.

The metal lock clicked on the other side.

"I wasn't planning to," I said.

"You were reaching for it."

"My arm was reaching. Big difference."

Her pistol pressed under my jaw. Close enough that the barrel dug into the fresh bandage at my throat. Pain shot down my neck, and the Void inside my implant answered with a sharp burst of static.

The voice outside came again, muffled through steel.

"Enforcer Vala. Step away from the hacker and place your weapon on the floor. You have been flagged for theft, obstruction, and unauthorized contact with a Class-Black asset."

Vala's eyes stayed on mine.

"Class-Black?" I whispered.

"Shut up."

"They called me an asset. That's almost sweet."

Her fingers tightened around my wrist. Her gloves were gone. Bare skin against mine. Warm. Steady.

Mine was shaking so hard she had to feel it.

"If they take you," she said, "they cut the implant out. If they take me, they erase my citizenship contract. So stop trying to be clever for five seconds."

"You forgot the part where they shoot us first."

"I didn't forget."