The black route started closing before Ty reached it.
He drove both sickles into the edge and pulled outward. Blue fire bit into the seam. Cold air spilled over the balcony and pushed dust across the broken tile.
Inside, Zunoder dragged the woman through a corridor of blind crystals. She stumbled on the uneven floor. He caught her before her shoulder hit the wall, and the catch was gentle enough to make Ty hate him harder.
Kindness looked worst when it came from a thief who understood how people watched.
"Let her walk away before you turn her into evidence."
Zunoder tilted Ty's face toward him.
"She is walking because no one here owns her feet."
The woman swallowed, one hand pressed to the wall.
"I am walking, but I no longer know why."
JJ reached Ty's side breathing hard, her cracked panel still bleeding pink light through her fingers.
"You can stop walking before the choice gets deeper."
