Chapter 10 · The Station With No Exit

"Don't move."

The royal hunting automaton dropped to one knee. Metal screamed. The floor cracked under its weight.

Nora didn't move. Couldn't.

Its blade was still buried in the stone beside Samuel's hand. Black smoke curled off the cut.

"Nora," Samuel said.

She looked down.

Blood ran between his fingers. Tapped the floor in quick, dark drops. His face had gone gray.

"Don't do that," she said.

"Do what?"

"Look dead."

"I'm trying not to."

The automaton's head turned. Clicked once. Twice.

Her second heartbeat punched her ribs.

Boom.

The machine lowered its sword.

Boom.

Every dead gear in the room spun at once. Pipes shook. The engine door slammed shut behind her.

Boom.

The city wasn't kneeling anymore.

It was listening.

Evelyn Crowe's voice slid from the speakers. Smooth. Warm. Completely wrong for the blood on the floor.

"My little heart," she said. "You finally woke up."

Nora's fingers curled.

Samuel tried to push himself up. His elbow slipped.

"Don't answer her," he muttered.

"I wasn't planning to."

"You're thinking about it."

"I'm thinking about ripping the speakers out."

"Good. Keep thinking that."

Tarin dropped beside Samuel and tore open his coat. Fabric stuck to the wound. Samuel hissed.