Chapter 30 · Traceless - Chapter 30: The Kill Switch

Cole's blood was all over the crate. Dark streaks down the metal, pooling where his shoulder pressed against the corner. He could feel his pulse in the wound, each beat pushing more warmth out of him.

The kid was still staring at Layla.

Not at Mara, who'd opened the cryo pod. Not at Cole, who was the one bleeding out three feet away. Just Layla.

"We need to move," Mara said. She was crouched by the pod, one hand on the edge like she was ready to slam it shut again. "They'll track the power surge from the thaw cycle."

Layla hadn't moved. She was looking at the kid the way people looked at crime scene photos. Like she wanted to look away but couldn't.

Cole forced himself upright. His shoulder screamed. The edges of his vision went white for a second, then came back. "How long?"

"Five minutes. Maybe less." Mara glanced at the service door they'd come through. "They'll send a sweep team. Full sensor array."

"Then we go now."

"He can't walk," Layla said. Her voice was flat. She still wasn't looking at him.

Cole pushed off the crate. His legs held. Barely. "I can walk.