Chapter 59 · Reid's jaw tightened

He lowered his hand.

Vale smiled on the screen. "Good. Let her choose, Cross. That is what you always did, wasn't it? Put the burden in someone else's hands, then call it mercy."

Reid's jaw tightened.

"You know nothing about me."

"I know your name. I know the war. I know why the Current followed you here. And I know what happens when you open the second gate."

Mira turned toward him. "Second gate?"

Vale's image flickered.

"Ask him," he said. "Ask him what was standing behind him when your cameras went white. Ask him why it came through with a hand already reaching for his heart."

The guard's vest began to beep.

Mira looked at the red light.

"Vale, stop."

"Choose, Mira. Walk into the stairwell and surrender. Or step aside and let Cross carry you into the dark."

Reid moved closer to the exit.

Mira caught his coat.

"Don't move."

"We can't stay."

"He has my brother."

"He wants you to believe that."

"You don't know."

"Neither do you."

"If you're wrong—"

"Then shoot me first."

Her hand tightened in his coat.

The guard's beeping sped up.

Vale spoke again. "Ten seconds.