Chapter 24 · The Dead Heir

"You're holding me."

"I know."

"Why?"

Lucas tightened his arm around my waist. "Because if I let go, you'll decide to be noble again and throw yourself at the drones."

"That almost sounds sweet."

"Enjoy it while it lasts."

His thumb shifted beneath mine.

Barely.

Heat still shot up my arm.

"You could've asked me to stay," he said.

"You would've made a speech."

"I don't make speeches."

"You give orders with longer sentences."

Gunfire cracked above us.

Lucas moved in front of me so fast our hands tore apart. His pistol cleared its holster before I could blink, aimed at the sealed archive door.

"Get the transmitter online," he said.

"Lucas—"

"Now."

"You don't get to throw yourself between me and every bullet."

"I do when I'm the only one wearing armor."

"You're not the only one with something to lose."

He glanced back at me. His eyes had gone dark.

"Then prove it."

The archive lock exploded.

Three defense drones rolled through the opening, their metal barrels tracking straight toward my chest.

Lucas stepped forward. "Warden Vale, unit command. Identify yourselves."

A mechanical voice answered, "Target Evelyn Voss. Secondary target Lucas Vale. Lethal force approved.