Chapter 18 · The First Mara

"Step away from the core, Mara."

The weapon touched her ribs.

Eli moved before she could breathe.

His shoulder slammed into hers, driving them both behind the core console. A shot cracked through the chamber. Glass burst over Mara's head.

"You said the drones were blind!" she snapped.

"They were."

Eli dragged her lower. His palm clamped around her wrist, hot and slick with blood.

Another bullet punched through the console. Red sparks sprayed across his sleeve.

"Then who the hell is shooting at us?"

"A worse problem. Keep down."

Mara risked a glance over the metal lip.

A stranger stood beside the open access door in a black Network uniform. A clear mask hid his face. No drone. No badge. Just a compact pistol aimed at the spot where Eli's head had been.

"Cyrus sent you?" Mara called.

The masked man tilted his head. "Cyrus sent everyone. You were supposed to choose the file or the assassin. Instead, you opened both."

"Sounds like his mistake."

"No. Yours."

Eli tightened his grip. "Don't argue with the gun."

"Don't tell me what to do."

"Then stop standing where bullets land.