Chapter 18 · The Man Inside

"Down!" Kael shoved Nyx beneath the cargo rail as a black capture net slammed across the station ceiling.

The mesh hit hard enough to buckle the metal walkway. Blue arcs snapped through every strand. Doors around the loading bay sealed at once, red Imperial locks flashing over the control panels.

Nyx caught Kael’s jacket and dragged him lower. "You said the station was clean."

"I said the ship was clean."

"That is not the same thing."

"I noticed."

A second net fired from the opposite wall.

Kael rolled, pulling Nyx with him. The net struck where his head had been and shredded a stack of cargo crates. Metal screamed. Sparks sprayed across the floor.

Nyx landed against his chest, one hand braced beside his shoulder. Her synthetic skin felt warm through his shirt. Too warm. The tether under his ribs tightened, stealing half a breath from him.

"Get off me," he muttered.

"Your heart rate is unstable."

"Your elbow is in my throat."

"Then stop moving your throat."

Kael shoved her aside and fired at the nearest ceiling emitter. The pulse round blew the device apart. The capture net sagged, but it didn’t drop.