Chapter 20 · The Gun Chooses

"Put that down." The rune-gun went white-hot against my arm before Marcus finished lifting the key.

Marcus stopped in the doorway. The key swung from two fingers, catching the light like it wasn't the same piece of metal that had burned Zero from the inside out.

"You know what this is," he said.

"Yeah. I know." I kept the gun aimed low, though my hand wanted to rise. "It's what you used on Zero. On all of them."

Zero shifted behind me.

I didn't look back. If Marcus had brought a squad, one glance away could cost us both.

Marcus sighed. "Ivy, we need to talk."

"Then talk."

"Not with him listening."

The heat climbed toward my shoulder. Lines moved beneath my skin, thin and bright, like the weapon was writing a warning into my bones.

"He stays," I said. "Say it now or walk out."

Marcus's jaw tightened. He pocketed the key and stepped inside.

He left the door open.

Three shadows shifted in the hall. Maybe four. None of them bothered hiding their weapons.

"You brought a cleanup crew," I said.

"Standard protocol. Zero's beacon lit up. They were dispatched."

"To kill him."

"To contain the situation.