Chapter 13 · I said don't touch her!

She stumbled. Fell to one knee. Her hand hit the floor and went straight through the glass like she wasn't solid anymore.

"Hera!" I shouted before I could stop myself. I tried to lunge for her. Silas yanked me back.

"I said don't touch her!" he barked. His arm was like steel around me. "She'll corrupt you! She'll tear your chip out!"

"She's me!" I yelled. I elbowed him. Hard. In the ribs. He grunted but didn't let go. "She's me and she's dying!"

"Good," he hissed. But his eyes were on her and they were wide. Not cold anymore. Panicked.

The other Hera looked up at me. Her voice was breaking up. Static eating the words.

"He... he didn't just take the city... he took..." She coughed. More black code spilled from her mouth. "He took your name so you couldn't ever... claim it back..."

"What name?" I said. I was fighting Silas now, really fighting. Kicking, shoving. "What is my name? Tell me!"

"Hera, stop," Silas said. He grabbed my chin and forced my face up. "Stop listening. You're making it worse. You're letting her in."

"I'm letting her in?