Chapter 16 · Root Access

"Tell me you can walk."

Kane's hand slipped from the wound below his ribs. Blood ran through Leia's glove as the tunnel lights blinked red, black, red.

"I can walk," he said.

"That wasn't the question."

"It's the answer you're getting."

He shoved away from her. His knees folded before his boots cleared the floor.

Leia caught him and nearly went down with him. Pain tore through her burned side, bright and vicious. The Null Sprint still chewed through her nerves. For three seconds, she saw nothing but red light and Kane's teeth clenched against her shoulder.

Then the tunnel slammed back into focus.

"You don't get to die after a dramatic confession," she said.

"Didn't confess."

"You admitted you were paid to deliver me."

"I admitted the job."

"You also ripped a tracker out of your own chest."

Kane's mouth twitched. "That was more of a resignation."

A laugh escaped her. It hurt too much to last.

The speakers crackled overhead.

"Leia."

Sevlyn Voss sounded nothing like the commander who'd ordered half the city to hunt them. Her voice shook under the static.

Leia tightened her grip on Kane. "Talk."

"The root chamber's open.