Chapter 25 · Untitled Chapter

"Nia, don't let them—"

Kellan's voice cracked inside the glass. His fingers pressed white against the barrier.

The container flashed. His face blurred into a wash of silver, and the Vault doors slammed open.

Nia hit the memory shell with both palms. Cold burned through her skin.

"Hold on!" she shouted. "I'm getting you out!"

"You have eight seconds," Elias said.

He stood beside the core, one hand clamped over his burned wrist. Blood ran between his fingers and dripped onto the black floor. The crown-shaped sigil beneath his palm still glowed.

Six armored enforcers marched in behind Veyra Sloane, rifles raised.

Veyra didn't hurry. She didn't need to.

"Seven seconds," Elias said.

"Shut up."

"Wasn't planning to."

Veyra stopped just inside the Vault. "Step away from the container, Nia."

Nia turned. "Go to hell."

Veyra's mouth tightened. "You always made simple things difficult."

"Funny. I was going to say the same about you."

A rifle clicked behind Veyra.

Kellan pounded against the shell. Pale silver light climbed from his feet to his knees, dragging scraps of images through it—