Chapter 21 · Neon Zero - Chapter 21: Sync Trap

"Don't touch the core."

Knox's hand closed around my wrist before my finger reached the sync tab.

His grip hurt. Not enough to break bone, but enough to remind me that he still had the strength, the badge, and the kill code buried somewhere in my spine.

I twisted hard. "Let go."

"You said you knew what you were doing."

"I said I could get us through the gate. I never said the system would make it easy."

The sealed district shook under another impact. Dust dropped from the ceiling. Somewhere beyond the blast door, the purge drones screamed through their launch cycle.

Knox pulled me closer, his chest nearly touching mine. His breath hit my cheek, hot and fast. "That button doesn't open the gate."

"No. It forces a sync."

"A forced sync can fry both interfaces."

"Then stop holding me and help me find a safer option."

His jaw tightened. "There isn't one."

"Funny. You only mention that after we run out of time."

The red warning line across my vision flashed again.

PURGE LOCK: 00:47

My life bar dropped by three percent.

Knox saw it. His eyes snapped to mine. "How much?"

"Forty-seven seconds.