Chapter 10 · Neon Zero - Chapter 10: Deep Dive

"Don't let go." Knox's fingers locked around my wrist as the corridor bucked under another impact. "Mara, whatever you started, shut it down. Now."

"You had ten seconds to stop me."

"I was busy keeping a rifle round out of your skull."

"And I was busy keeping you alive." I shoved my marked wrist harder against his palm. The core burned between our skin, hot enough to make my teeth hurt. "So unless you want the cleaners to erase both of us, stop giving orders and hold still."

The maintenance tunnel shook again. Dust dropped from the ceiling. Somewhere behind the sealed blast door, the cleaning team shouted through their masks.

"Target pair confirmed!"

"Identity purge in six seconds!"

A red timer flashed across my vision.

00:00:06

Knox's grip tightened. His other hand caught the back of my jacket and pulled me against him before I could stumble into the exposed wiring. His chest hit my shoulder blades. Heat pressed through the thin fabric. His breath brushed the side of my neck.

My body reacted before my brain did. One sharp inhale. One stupid pause.

Then I elbowed him in the ribs.

"Hands off.