Chapter 17 · Behind the Firewall

"Don't you dare look back!"

Kade's hand locks around my wrist. He yanks me through the side hatch so hard my shoulder pops.

"Let go!" I twist, clawing at his fingers. "She's still in there! Iris is right there!"

"And she'll be dead if you keep staring through the glass!" He slams the hatch shut. Metal screams. The heat still hits my back in a brutal wave. "Move. Now."

Nox is already halfway down the service tunnel, panting, hands on his knees. "Jesus Christ... she just—she blew the whole firewall!"

"She bought us ninety seconds." Kade doesn't let go. His palm is hot, sweaty, too tight. "Maybe sixty now. Maya, look at me."

"Don't tell me where to look!" I shove his chest. He doesn't budge. He's a damn wall. "Vance has her! He had his hands on her! You saw him grab her!"

"I saw it." His voice drops. Low. Flat. "You go back through that firewall, you don't save her. You give Vance exactly what he wants. Your blood on his scanner and her throat under his boot. That the plan?"

"Don't you dare use that logic on me!" My throat is raw, tasting of smoke. "That's Iris!