“We can’t leave her.”
His face breaks for half a second.
Because he understands.
God, he understands.
But another explosion detonates deeper in the tunnel behind us, shaking dust from the ceiling.
Russ grabs Eli by the vest.
“Is there another exit?”
Eli nods immediately.
“Maintenance shaft east side. Half a mile.”
Gabriel fires another burst downrange.
“Then we move now!”
More Sentinel teams flood into the tunnel behind Wu’s loyalists.
Too many.
Way too many.
And unlike the others?
These soldiers don’t hesitate.
No memory flashes.
No uncertainty.
Just cold efficiency.
Wu brought reinforcements.
“Clay!” Lucas shouts. “GO!”
Clay looks at Avery’s body.
Then at me.
And I see the impossible choice tearing through him.
Mission.
Survival.
Or me.
He chooses me instantly.
Always me.
“We’re coming back for her,” he says roughly.
