Chapter 33 · The File That Says I Never Existed

"Fight with me after we get Mara through the corridor."

Lucas reached for his mask.

I slapped his hand away. "No. We fight now. You want me to trust you after admitting you've been keeping my name in a file?"

"That file never existed."

I pointed at the locked door. "Then what the hell is this?"

His mouth tightened. He turned to the wall panel and pulled a thin blade from his boot.

"Lucas, what are you doing?"

He jammed the blade under the panel cover and ripped it free. Sparks snapped across his knuckles. Burned wiring stung my nose.

"Cutting the local command relay."

"Will that open the door?"

"No. It blinds the sensors for eight seconds."

"And after eight seconds?"

"The grid comes back angry."

I stared at him. "Great plan."

He glanced over his shoulder. "You have a better one?"

"Yeah. Stop making plans that involve me dying."

"Then stay close."

The panel popped.

Every light died except the red seal beneath Mara's collarbone. It burned against her pale skin while she stood shackled beside the door, shaking so hard the chains rattled.

Lucas grabbed my hand.

I ripped free. "Don't touch me."

"The floor's charged.