Chapter 13 · Information

"Information," Vane said, circling Reid like a vulture. "I want to know how you're channeling the Veil without a corporate regulator. No chip, no harness, no neural-link. You're doing it raw. That's impossible."

"I'm not a lab rat," Reid replied, his voice dropping an octave. "The meds. Now."

"Tough," Vane shrugged, turning back to his workbench. "Maybe the kid dies. It's a natural part of the Ashport ecosystem."

Reid didn't argue. He didn't negotiate. In one fluid motion, he blurred across the room. His hand clamped around Vane's throat, lifting the doctor off the floor and pinning him against the humming machine. The metal groaned under the pressure.

"Listen to me, you pathetic little worm," Reid whispered, the Current beginning to crackle around his knuckles, turning the air blue. "I don't care about your curiosity. I care about that boy. You're going to give me the serum, or I'm going to rip this machine out of the wall and use your ribs as a replacement part."

"Reid! Stop!" Mira shouted, stepping forward. She didn't pull her weapon, but her hand was hovering near her hip.