Chapter 18 · Resonance Overload

"Get away from him." Zero's fingers locked around Kael's throat before he could reach the emergency hatch.

"Sloane, stop."

"Don't call me that." She slammed him against the bulkhead. Metal rang behind his skull. His hands caught her wrists, but he didn't fight hard enough. That made her grip tighten.

"You don't get to use that name when you're lying to me."

"I'm not lying."

"You built me."

"I know." The answer hit harder than a weapon. Zero shoved him higher until his boots scraped the deck. His face tightened. He was trying to breathe quietly. Trying not to scare her. That stupid restraint made the pain in her skull spike again. Red symbols flashed across her vision. KILL TARGET. PRIORITY: KAEL VARR. RETURN TO VICTOR. Her thumb pressed into the side of Kael's neck. His pulse jumped against it.

"Say it again," she whispered.

"Say what?"

"That you didn't build me." Kael's eyes held hers. Gray. Too steady. Too close.

"I built the system that hurt you. I didn't know what they put inside it."

"Convenient."

"It's the truth."

"Truth doesn't stop the pain."

"No. I do." His voice broke on the last word.