The chamber lights flared, turning the air white. Runes crawled across the walls in frantic patterns as the core at the center spun open like a widening eye. That deep synthetic voice still echoed through the room. Every word hammered against my ribs.
“Primary system update beginning. Surviving unit preparing for forced integration.”
Sophie’s scream cut through the noise. “Lainey, it is about to bind you. We have seconds.”
My heart surged. The pull on my aura grew stronger. Like invisible hands reaching out from the center of the platform, trying to latch onto me and drag me toward the pit.
Jack stepped in front of me. His eyes burned with a fury I had only seen once before. “The Foundation is not claiming her.”
His voice was so raw it scraped the air.
Beau moved to my other side. Ja
