Chapter 33 · Deadly Reunion

"Move, Zero!" Kael slammed his palm against the vault door as the first guard rounded the broken support column.

Zero raised her pistol.

The guard's rifle came up faster.

Kael hooked an arm around her waist and dragged her sideways. A burst of blue rounds tore through the space where her head had been. Stone chips cut her cheek. His chest hit her back, hot and hard through two layers of torn fabric.

"Get off me."

"You're welcome."

She drove her elbow into his ribs.

He grunted but didn't let go. "You can stab me later. Right now, there are twelve rifles, two drones, and a ninety-second lockdown timer."

"You counted?"

"I built the security grid."

"You built my cage."

"And I know how to break it. Run!"

Three guards pushed through the dust behind the first one. Their armor carried the Iron Syndicate's black crest. Victor's voice crackled through their helmets.

"Zero," he called. "Put the weapon down. Kael is lying to you. He always does."

Zero fired twice.

The first guard dropped with a smoking shoulder plate. The second slammed behind a pillar.