Chapter 19 · You keep doing that

A rifle blast punched through the bay. The round struck the hatch rim beside Nyx’s hand.

She yanked Kael down. He hit the narrow tunnel shoulder-first, with Nyx landing on top of him again.

"You keep doing that," he said.

"You keep standing in front of bullets."

"I was behind you."

"Not when you opened your mouth."

Another blast tore through the hatch.

Kael rolled onto his side and shoved the emergency release. The hatch slammed shut between them and the soldiers. The tunnel filled with the sharp smell of hot metal.

Nyx stayed close, one palm flat against his chest. Her fingers spread over his heartbeat.

"It’s still irregular," she said.

"You’re still touching me."

"I’m monitoring the tether."

"Monitor from farther away."

"You’re afraid I’ll find the memory block."

Kael pushed himself up. The tunnel ceiling was low enough that his shoulder brushed hers. "I’m afraid you’ll fry yourself trying to open it."

That stopped her.

"Why would you care?"

"Because if you die, I die."

"That’s not care. That’s self-preservation."

"Keep telling yourself that."

Her fingers remained against his chest for one beat too long. Then she pulled away.

"The ship is two levels down," she said.