Chapter 25 · Say it again

For a moment, the chamber went silent except for the Core.

Sera stared at him. Her hand shook once. She hated that he noticed. She hated even more that he didn't try to take the knife.

"Say it again."

"I started the second phase."

"Why?"

"Because the first phase was killing you."

Her grip faltered.

Kael caught the change. He moved fast, not toward the knife but toward her free hand. His fingers closed around it and pressed her palm against his chest.

The bond opened.

Sera saw the memory from his side.

The room was brighter than the recovered image had shown. White panels. Glass screens. Three council officers behind the observation wall. Oren stood among them, younger but already wearing the black command coat.

A technician shouted, "Her neural pattern is collapsing. Shut it down."

Young Kael slammed both hands on the control panel.

"If you shut it down now, she dies."

Oren's voice came through the intercom. "Then let her die."

Young Kael looked at the girl on the table.

At Sera.

Her eyes were open. Her mouth moved, but no sound came through the mask.

Young Kael turned to the panel.

"Start the second phase.