Chapter 14 · Zero Comes Back Wrong

"Hands where I can see them," I say, the muzzle of my gun pressed against the back of Zero's neck.

He doesn't move. Just stands there, hands loose at his sides. Behind me, Ash shifts his weight, his gun trained on Zero too.

"How do you know that name?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Zero tilts his head, the mask covering his face glinting in the faint light. "Mara used to call you that. When you were kids. You hated it."

My finger tightens on the trigger. The rune-gun flares, hungry for blood. "Mara's dead," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I know," Zero says, his voice flat, emotionless. "I was there. Tower Seven. Fourth floor. You went in first. She went left. I went right. The samples were already loose."

My breath catches. Tower Seven was classified. Sealed records. The only people who knew the layout were the team. And every single one of them is dead.

Except me.

Zero takes a step forward, his eyes locked on mine. "I'm not here to fight you," he says, his hand raised, slow. "I'm looking for the same thing you are. The lab.