Chapter 26 · I wasn't

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"I was looking at the person who keeps calling himself my warden while wearing the same chains."

His grip fell away.

I turned to face him.

For once, Kane didn't block my path. He stood beside the terminal with his hands at his sides, breathing hard enough that I could feel each pulse through the bond.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Because you would've used it."

"I am using it."

"I know."

"And you still let me see."

"I didn't let you. You found it."

"You could've stopped me."

"I tried."

"You tried to stop me from opening the case. You didn't try to stop me from finding the terminal."

His eyes moved to the transmitter on the floor.

"I wanted to know if the system would recognize you."

The room seemed to tilt.

"You used me as a test."

"I needed proof."

"You always need proof after you put me in danger."

"And you always demand answers after you make everything worse."

"Say that again."

"You heard me."

I grabbed the nearest metal rod from the emergency kit and swung.

Kane ducked. The rod cracked against the terminal. Sparks spat across the desk.