Chapter 6 · Untitled Chapter

"Move!"

The gun above the gate fired.

Elias slammed into Nia. The shot ripped over them and punched through the lift wall, spraying hot metal across her cheek.

They hit the floor together. His bad shoulder took the impact.

"Get off," he gasped.

"You jumped on me."

"Then we're even."

The weapon rotated with a mechanical click. A red targeting line slid toward Nia's boot.

"Nia." Tavi's voice crackled in her earpiece. "Move your ass. That's a Crown rotary. The second shot won't miss."

"You could've led with that."

"I thought the gunfire made it obvious."

Nia grabbed Elias's coat and hauled him toward the gate. His injured leg dragged behind him. The red line found her.

She threw herself through the doorway. Elias landed on top of her as the second blast carved a glowing trench through the floor.

The gate began to drop.

His coat snagged on a bent panel.

"Damn it." Elias twisted against the fabric. "Nia, leave me."

"Not happening."

"That's not a request."

Steel dropped toward his spine.

Nia drew her knife and cut through the coat. She dragged him clear a heartbeat before the gate slammed down behind them.

Dust shook from the ceiling.