Chapter 23 · She Mouths One Word Through the Glass

"Down!" Zero slammed a hand into my chest and drove me into the floor.

The gunshot came half a second later. A bullet punched through the steel plate where my skull had been. Sparks sliced my cheek.

"Marcus doesn't wait," Zero said. "You should've figured that out by now."

I rolled behind a support beam and looked through the sparks.

Marcus stood in the doorway, one shoulder bleeding through his shirt. Six operators spread behind him, rifles trained on us. He looked pale, annoyed, and completely in control.

"Ivy." His voice carried across the lab. "Step away from the target. Last chance."

The rune-gun heated against my forearm.

Not hot from the shot. Hot like a hand was trying to steer it.

I forced my arm down. "You knew about this place."

"I signed the budget reports." Marcus wiped blood from his lip. "Now move."

"Move where?" I shouted back. "Into your firing line?"

"You don't get to negotiate."

Zero gave a low, humorless laugh beside me. "He's right about that part."

I cut him a look. "You're helping."

"I'm keeping you alive. There's a difference.