Chapter 7 · Midway Flip

"Don't you touch her again!"

Kade slammed his forearm into Iris's wrist. The blood slide went flying, hitting the concrete with a sharp crack. My blood smeared across the grey floor in a jagged streak.

Behind him, the alarm was still screaming. The encrypted screen flashed red—coordinates, a countdown, and my name locked next to my mom's blood type.

Perfect match.

Iris didn't even flinch. She looked at the smear on the floor, then locked eyes with me.

"You see?" she said. "Protocol only takes kin. That's why you're still breathing."

Kade stepped in front of me. Too close. His back was a wall against my chest, his body heat radiating through my clothes. His hand hovered near mine—he wanted to grab me, but he didn't dare.

"Back off, Iris," he snapped. "You got your sample. We're done."

"We're not done," Iris countered. "You're the one who brought the key to my door. You think I'm letting her walk?"

My hand was shaking. Not fear. Just the throb in my fingertip where she'd pricked me. It felt like poison was sinking in.

"You said you were protecting me," I told Iris. My voice sounded flat. Dead. "Both of you.