Chapter 21 · The Clause He Never Meant to Use

"You lied to me about my brother." I slapped Dorian's hand away from the tower controls before he could lock the signal panel.

A rail gun cracked outside.

The floor jumped under my boots. Glass exploded from the narrow windows, spraying the control room in bright, razor-sharp pieces.

Dorian grabbed my waist and dragged me behind the steel console.

"Move your head," he snapped.

"Take your hand off me."

"Gladly. The second the guns stop trying to turn you into paste."

Another blast slammed into the tower. His chest hit my back. Heat burned through his uniform, hard and close, while his arm locked around my ribs.

I elbowed him anyway.

He grunted. "Still charming."

"Still lying."

Across the room, Sera kept her pistol aimed at the sealed door. Her face had gone pale, but her grip didn't shake.

"The north rail battery has our position," she said. "They'll fire again in thirty seconds."

I glared at Dorian. "You said this tower was hidden."

"It was. Someone opened the military channel."

"Someone with access to your command."

His jaw tightened. "I know."

"Do you? You knew the custody list was real.