Marcus slammed the brakes, the tires screeching against the pavement. My body jerked forward, and my hands shot out to brace against the dashboard.
In the glare of the headlights, Mira stood, her expression unnervingly calm. Her grip on Noah was firm, her gun pressed against his side. His face was pale, but his eyes, defiant and darting, locked onto mine.
"How is he alive?" I said, barely above a whisper.
"He shouldn't be," Alexander muttered, already reaching for his weapon.
Mira stepped forward, dragging Noah closer, her voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. "I wouldn't do that, Alexander. You know how this works."
Alexander didn't lower his gun. "You've got five seconds to explain."
"Five seconds isn't much time to unravel the lies you've been fed," Mira said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "But I'll try."
I shoved the door open, stepping out before Alexander could stop me. "Why are you doing this, Mira? You've already lost."
