Chapter 8 · If I take that door, what happens to the timer?

He turned toward the exit.

Ayla caught his sleeve. "Kade."

He stopped.

She hated the way his name felt in her mouth. Too familiar. Too easy.

"If I take that door, what happens to the timer?" she asked.

"It keeps counting."

"What happens to you?"

"You already know."

"I want you to say it."

He looked back at her. "I die."

The guards shouted from the tunnel.

"Target located! Kneel now!"

Kade stepped between Ayla and the hatch. "Go."

"No."

"Ayla."

"You don't get to decide that I leave."

"I do when I'm the one standing between you and six rifles."

"You think standing in front of me makes you in charge?"

"It makes me useful."

"You want useful? Give me the truth."

His expression tightened. "About what?"

"Why did the system call me the anchor? Why do those buildings carry my mark? Why did you look at me like you already knew my name before I told you?"

For the first time, Kade's control slipped. His fingers curled at his sides.

"I don't know."

"Liar."

"I remember pieces."

"Then give me one."

"I remember fire.