Chapter 66 · Purge Authorized

Lucas shoved my head down and fired twice over me.

The shots cracked through the tower. Guards ducked behind the security rail as bullets punched into the metal above their heads.

“Complicated,” Lucas said.

I lifted my head. “That’s a coward’s word.”

“It’s the word keeping you alive.”

More boots thundered overhead.

Lucas caught my face and forced me to look at him. His palm was rough and hot against my cheek. Blood ran from his temple, slipped over his skin, and soaked into his thumb.

“Listen to me. The tower controls are at the top. You go in first.”

“Why?”

“The system scans my badge and locks the room before I can reach the console.”

“Then take the damn badge off.”

His hand dropped.

For one sharp second, he stared at the black metal plate clipped to his chest. The Vale crest flashed beneath the emergency lights.

“If I remove it, every guard in this tower sees me as a traitor.”

“You already are one.”

“Not to them. Not yet.”

“You want to save me?” I shoved a finger into his bleeding chest. “Prove it.