Chapter 10 · Tess's breath caught

The nearest soldier raised his staff.

Selene stepped closer until Tess's back met the iron hatch. Her fingers slid beneath Tess's chin, stopping before contact.

"May I?"

Tess's breath caught. "You may speak. Don't touch."

Selene's hand fell.

"Tess Wren," she said, each word clear, "I bind my authority, my protection, and my life to your survival for thirty days. You bind your cooperation, your honesty about System changes, and your presence within my watch. I will not surrender you to the Crown. I will not allow anyone to violate the limits you set. If either of us breaks those terms, the contract takes a matching price."

"And after thirty days?"

"We renegotiate. If you're alive."

"You really know how to sell a girl on the future."

"I'm not selling. I'm giving you the only door left open."

A blast struck Selene's shield. Her boots slid back half an inch.

Tess heard the soldiers shouting. Heard the metal hatch lock grinding under her spine. Heard her own breathing turn quick.

She looked at Selene. "If this kills me, I haunt you."

"Get in line."

"If you betray me—"

"You won't need to haunt me. I'll already be dead.