Chapter 28 · What does that mean?

I turned on him. "What does that mean?"

He pointed to the lower screen. "There."

A file opened by itself.

VALE, MARA. FINAL FIELD REPORT.

My sister's name filled the screen.

My knees almost gave out. I caught the edge of the console and shoved the seal into the switch.

The whole station dropped into darkness.

For one breath, there was only the sound of my own breathing and Calian's hand finding my waist.

"Don't touch me."

He released me at once. "The doors are opening."

Deep below us, locks slammed back one by one.

A hidden elevator groaned under the floor.

The emergency screens blinked on again, powered by something beneath the station. A red broadcast icon appeared in the center of every panel.

"That's not ours," I said.

"No."

"Then who has the feed?"

Calian took the seal back, but his fingers brushed mine. The contact was quick. Still, heat ran up my arm.

"Stay behind me."

"I'm not staying behind anyone."

"For once, do exactly what I say."

"You want obedience? Find a soldier.