Page 198 of The Vigilante's Lover

I step backwards to the elevator. The grid follows me until I step inside the car. Then it blinks out.

“System. To the War Room,” I say.

Sutherland is still on the floor, a medic in white kneeling next to him. Black-armor guy sneers at me. “Your time is limited,” he says.

The doors close.

I sag against the wall. God. I shot Sutherland. And some random boy. My chest starts to heave, like I might hyperventilate. I try to calm it down. Am I cut out for this? Suddenly I’m not sure.

But I have to find Jax. And Sam and Colette are somewhere.

When the doors open, it’s to a hallway that looks like it is lined with steel. The corridor is empty. Everything is deathly quiet.

There’s a door ahead. I assume this is the War Room. As I approach it, a green beam rolls down my body and the bulk of the bag.

“No weapons or technology are allowed in the War Room,” an electronic voice says.

I lower my arm and bring the bag with the antidotes around. “Can Itake these?”

“Antidotes are unnecessary.”

“But can I take them?”

“We can store them safely.”

I’m arguing with a computer. A small, low door opens, reminding me of that first day in the silo, and a silver ball rolls out. The top opens with a hiss.

“Place the bag in the container. It will be returned only to Mia Morrow.”

I set the bag inside. “Fine,” I say.

The ball seals itself and rolls back into the wall.

“Morrow is approved for entry.”

I turn back to the door. Time to face whatever’s next.

21: Jax

The door opens and Mia stands there, looking apprehensive and alone.

She made it down. I knew she would.

Jovana spots her. “And look, now we have our rogue special, who has been running amok in the headquarters.”

A screen changes above her head. It shows footage of Mia shooting Sutherland with the dart gun. He goes down instantly.

“Well, look at that,” Jovana says. “It seems she just shot our Head of Syndicate.”

Mia steps forward. “It was just a drug. It will wear off.”

Jovana shakes her head. “Doesn’t look like it to me.”

The screen flashes “Subject deceased.”

Mia seems to find her stride then and walks slowly and purposefully toward Jovana. “It’s the same poison that fooled everyone with Jax.” She waves at me. “And he’s still standing.”

The room visibly relaxes.