I dropped the drive.
It clattered on the floor.
Ije’s smile flickered.
“Smart.”
“No,” I said.
“Predictable.”
I stomped on the drive.
Plastic cracked.
Chips scattered.
Ije’s face went white.
“You idiot.
That was the only copy.”
“No,” I said.
“It was the only copy you knew about.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What did you do?”
“I made a backup.” I tapped my ear.
“And I sent it to every news outlet in the city.”
Just for a second.
Then she recovered.
“Then you’ve doomed us all.”
“Maybe.” I drew the pistol.
“But I’m taking you with me.”
The snipers shifted.
I fired.
Once.
Twice.
Both dropped.
Ije didn’t flinch.
“You can’t kill me, Kael.
I’m the only one who knows how to stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“The vector.” She stepped closer.
“It’s not just a virus.
It’s a key.
And I hold the lock.” Find the original chapter at g.com.
I hesitated.
That was all she needed.
She lunged.
We hit the floor.
The pistol skidded away.
Her hands went for my throat.
I grabbed her wrist.
Twisted.
She screamed.
I rolled.
We were on our feet again.
She drew a knife.
I drew the machete.
Steel met steel.
Rain hammered the glass above us.
And the real fight began.