Dawn crept slow and gray over Greenridge, casting a tired hush over the city's outer district.
Joseph stood in the technomancer's wreckage—smoldering beams, melted glass, and the sickening scent of ash.
One apprentice had survived, coughing soot in the alley behind the building.
“She uploaded the data before it went up," the girl rasped, pressing a shard of scorched metal into his hand. “Said to guard the cloud key with our lives."
Joseph nodded grimly. “You did good. Get her to a healer."
He opened the melted casing. Inside, a tiny crystal drive blinked red.
Alive.
He slipped it into his pocket.
---
Meanwhile, Stella walked alone through the old bakery district. Joseph had posted guards outside her room, but she'd needed air. Her shift at the temporary bakery had been quiet, but
