Chapter 10 · Enough to keep you alive

"The shackle reacted when I touched the lower gate. It reacted when Oren said my name. It reacted to your blood. How many lies do you have left?"

"Enough to keep you alive."

"Try the truth. It might hurt less."

The guards hit the outer door.

Kael pulled a black wafer from inside his coat and set it on the console. "The archive will only open with a mutual neural signature."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning we have to sign the bond properly."

Sera stared at the wafer. "No."

"We already share a damaged link. This stabilizes it."

"You mean it makes the leash permanent."

"For twelve hours."

"And the price?"

"You get access to the memory archive. I get your combat clearance and a chance to reach the lower core."

"What happens if one of us breaks the contract?"

Kael's expression hardened. "The bond shuts down both nervous systems."

"You say that like it's a small detail."

"It's the important detail."

"You should put it on a card. Maybe wear it around your neck."

The door shook again. Metal screamed.

Kael stepped into her space. His injured arm brushed hers.