Chapter 13 · Underground Corridor

"Don't breathe!"

Kade’s hand slammed over my mouth, dragging me sideways before I could even cough.

White gas hit like a wall. Hissing. Vicious. It poured from the ceiling vents in the corridor behind the half-open blast door.

"Hold it! Hold your breath!" Kade shouted against my ear. His chest crushed my back as he shoved us both through the gap.

I twisted, fighting him. "Get off! You're choking me!"

"I'm saving your lungs, Maya. Move!"

He didn't let go. His arm locked around my ribs, hauling me forward while Nox sprinted ahead into the dark.

"Ventilation control!" Nox yelled back, voice muffled by his sleeve. "There has to be a shutoff! This whole corridor is a kill box!"

The door behind us groaned. Iris’s override had stuck at fifty percent, and the red timer above it was screaming. Thirty seconds. Then twenty.

"Kade, the door's gonna seal us in!" I choked out, ripping his hand off my face.

"Then we don't stay here!" He grabbed my wrist. His fingers were hot, gripping too tight. "This way. Now."

"Don't drag me! I can run!"

I yanked back, but he just tightened his hold.