Chapter 18 · Untitled Chapter

"Don't come find me." The voice came from the other side of the upper gate, wearing Kellan's voice so perfectly that Nia's hand went numb on Elias's coat.

She shoved Elias into the gate frame. His injured shoulder hit metal, and he sucked in a sharp breath.

"Tell me that's not another one of your family's security pets."

"It isn't."

Something beyond the gate breathed like a furnace.

Nia tightened her grip. "That was my brother."

"I know."

"Then move."

"Nia, wait."

She drove her elbow into his ribs and stepped through.

The gate slammed shut behind her.

A red line flashed across the metal.

LOCKDOWN. LIVING ACCESS DENIED. DECEASED ACCESS ACCEPTED.

"Great," Tavi called from the other side. "Love that for us."

Nia spun around.

Tavi stood behind the sealed gate, or most of him did. His left hand blinked in and out of view, pale static dragging from his sleeve.

Elias struck the bars. "Tavi!"

"I'm fine."

"You're disappearing."

"Yeah, and I've had worse mornings. Find Kellan before the system finishes eating his file."

Nia faced the upper district.

White stone replaced Crownstack's rusted walls.