Chapter 12 · You got what you wanted

His gaze dropped to the metal point. "You got what you wanted."

The bond carried it again. Fear, contained behind clenched teeth and a steady stare.

Sera’s fingers tightened.

A broken image flashed across her mind.

White lights.

A metal table.

A younger Kael standing beside it, his face thinner, his dark hair falling into his eyes. Someone in a mask held a cable near Sera’s temple.

Young Kael said something.

The memory cut out before she heard it.

Sera sucked in a breath.

Kael caught the change. "What did you see?"

"You."

His hand went to the lift wall. "Where?"

"The lab."

"That memory is damaged."

"You saw it too?"

"I saw the file."

"No. You saw me. You knew what they were doing."

"I knew enough."

"Enough to stop them?"

He didn’t answer.

Sera stepped closer, forcing him back until his shoulders hit the metal wall. Their bond pulled tight between them. His breath warmed her forehead. Her knife stayed at his chest, but her free hand had landed against his sternum.

His heart slammed against her palm.

"Say it," she demanded. "Say you stood there and did nothing."

Kael’s eyes dropped to her hand.

"Sera—"

"Say it."