Chapter 29 · The Name They Cut Out

"Get away from the chip." Kael shoved Sera back just as black light snapped across the room and wrapped around her wrist.

The band burned cold. Not skin-deep. It crawled up her arm in thin lines, searching for something under the bone.

"You should've said that before I pulled your interface," Sera said.

Kael hit one knee. Blood ran from the port at his neck, dark against his collar. He still managed to glare at her like she had personally offended him by staying alive.

"I told you not to open the lock."

"You told me a lot of things." She yanked at the black band. It tightened. "Mostly lies."

Behind them, the memory-market door shook under another impact.

Mira slapped a palm against the console. "We have ninety seconds before the guard breach. Maybe less. Sera, take your hand off the chip."

"It won't let me."

"I know. That's the problem."

A second impact split the door down the middle. Metal groaned. Voices shouted from the other side.

"Civic Guard! Drop your weapons and kneel!"

Sera looked at Kael. "You brought them here?"

His jaw tightened. "If I had, they wouldn't be announcing themselves."

"Cute answer.