Chapter 16 · The Second Key

The last three knocks came from the other side of the floodgate.

Not metal against metal. Not Cain’s fist.

Something heavier struck the sealed door, and the impact shivered through the maintenance corridor beneath Eve’s boots. Rust dust sifted from the ceiling. The rescued boy whimpered and pressed both hands over his ears. Behind him, the other survivors crowded against the conduit wall, their pale faces lit by the pulsing blue beneath Eve’s skin.

“Cain?” Eve shouted.

The floodgate answered with silence.

Then the black box in her hand clicked awake.

“Unknown authorization source,” it said. Its voice had lost the dry, almost amused rhythm it usually used. “Second Key proximity escalating. Outer core ring access available.”

Eve’s fingers tightened around the box. “Open the gate.”

“Negative. Structural pressure on opposite side exceeds safe release parameters.”

“Open it.”

“Eve,” Nora said through the cracked comm bead in Eve’s ear. Static chewed at every other word. “Don’t. The purge signal is still active. I’m seeing armored units moving through the service grid. Six—no, eight signatures. They’re heading straight for you.”

The boy looked up at Eve. His face was streaked with grime and dried blood.