A red warning light flashed on the panel.

“Coolant pressure failure,” the mechanical voice announced.

Tessa frowned, looking back toward the doors.

The air in the room suddenly grew deathly still.

The steam pipe above the generator hissed, releasing a white cloud that smelled of rust and hot oil.

Tessa stepped back, her heels clicking rapidly on the damp concrete.

The guard holding my arm turned his head toward the control panel.

Rowan did not hesitate.

He drove his elbow backward into the ribs of the guard holding him.

The man gasped, his grip loosening instantly.

Rowan spun, grabbing the guard’s wrist and twisting it until the bone popped.

The guard screamed, dropping his weapon.

I wrenched my arm free from the second guard, kicking hard at his knee.

My boot connected with his kneecap.

He groaned and stumbled sideways into the vibrating metal frame of the generator.

“Get them!” Tessa shrieked.

Her voice was high and thin over the rising whine of the turbine.

Rowan grabbed my hand.

His palm was rough and cold.

“Run,” he said.

We bolted through the double doors, leaving the steam-filled generator room behind.