Chapter 56 · Don't make that weird

He looked at her.

She kept running, face hard. "Don't make that weird."

"You made it weird."

"I made it tactical."

"Sure."

They reached a narrow platform behind the core. A metal plate sat in the wall, half buried under old cables. Mira tore off the cover with both hands.

A red light blinked beneath it.

"Hand," she ordered.

"Tell me what happens if it rejects me."

"It won't."

"That's not what I asked."

"Your arm locks. Maybe your heart."

"Maybe?"

"I haven't used this system before."

"You said you had a plan."

"I said I had access. Don't confuse the two."

The first cannon blast struck the platform.

Mira slammed into Reid. He caught her around the waist before she went over the edge. Her back hit his chest. His arm locked around her middle while the open shaft yawned beneath her boots.

She grabbed his forearm.

"Don't drop me."

"Wasn't planning to."

"Your grip is slipping."

"Then stop moving."

"I'm not moving!"

"You are absolutely moving."

"Maybe because you're holding me over a hole!"

He pulled her up. Her back dragged against his chest.