The hallway was dark, lit only by the flicker of emergency lights. Mira's figure disappeared around a corner, and I pushed harder, my breath burning in my throat.
When I rounded the corner, I stopped short. Mira was waiting, her gun leveled at me.
"Impressive," she said, her tone almost amused. "But you're predictable, Eleanor."
I raised my own weapon, hands steady despite the pounding in my chest. "Drop it."
She tilted her head, as if considering it. "You don't have it in you."
"Try me."
For a moment, neither of us moved. The world narrowed to her finger on the trigger and mine, each of us waiting for the other to make a mistake.
"You should be thanking me," Mira said finally. "That little explosion? It was a wake-up call."
I tightened my grip. "You're delusional."
"No," she said softly. "I'm the only one who knows what's coming."
