“They’re experimental. The GSS had a secret project to work on them. It’s a powered flyingpack. The wings extend out or fold away.”
Nera watched two security agents come in to land at the far edge of the roof. They looked graceful and really maneuverable. She really, really wanted to try flying with one of these aeropacks. But she was sure Agent Ryant would rather drop her from a great height before letting her touch one.
She took a step, and the roof fell out from under her feet. She jumped, but her leap was awkward and lacked power.
“Nera!”
She fumbled for her grappler, but it slipped and fell down through the hole.Shit. Niklas grabbed her arm and hauled her in. She slammed into his chest and held on. Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. “Thanks.”
Groans and growls reached them. They looked down through the hole. It was pitch black inside, the sun casting a single circle of light below. Everything beyond it consisted of black shadows, but she could see dim shapes moving.
“Come on.” Niklas tugged her onward.
He moved cautiously, testing the roof panels. Not too far away, Agent Ryant was a dark silhouette against the sun.
Nera followed the route Niklas had taken. The roof was really badly decayed here.
She heard a groan of metal and a cracking sound. She froze.
Niklas spun, and his gaze caught hers. He was already moving back toward her.
“Stay still,” she hissed. “And stay back. I don’t want you to fall.”
She could feel the roof bowing beneath her weight. Her mind raced, trying to think of a way out.
“Nera.” He was getting closer, one arm outstretched.
But she knew it was too late.
The roof gave way.
She fell.
Strong fingers circled her wrist and she jerked to a halt. She was dangling over the hole, and below she could hear the zombies. They were agitated. Anticipating a feed.
She looked up into Niklas’ strained face.
“I’ll…get you…back up.”
The edge where he lay flat on his stomach crumbled a little, and it made her heart leap into her throat. No way in hell would she let him fall. And definitely not to try and save her. She’d leap into a chasm full of zombies a hundred times over to save Niklas’ life.
A lump formed in her throat. He wouldn’t be able to pull her back up. She was too heavy, and his grip and purchase on the roof were too awkward. She let herself have a second to feel the pain, the sorrow, the helpless anger at the unfairness.
To find everything she’d ever wanted, only to have to let him go. Life was cruel. That was one truth her existence had taught her over and over again.
But as long as Niklas was safe, that was all that mattered.
“Niklas,” she said quietly.
He refused to look at her. “No.”
“Let me go.” She cleared her throat and found her hardest, coldest voice. “Let me go and get back to the ship.”
“No!” He roared it.
Below, the zombies roared back.
She slipped a little, her wrist falling through his clenched hand.
