Chapter 15 · Ash Ledger - Chapter 15: The Man on the Death Roll

"Your brother's name is on their list."

Mara said it flat, like she was reading off a supply count. Her hand was still on the wrapped bandage around my wrist, fingers cool through the linen.

I pulled back. "What list."

"The death roll." She didn't look away. "Ilian's carrying it. Every name the border command wants gone before winter. Your brother's three lines from the top."

The air went thin. I heard myself breathing but it didn't feel like enough. "You're lying."

"I'm not."

"You're lying because you want me to turn on Ilian, because you need—"

"I need you alive long enough to get my family out." Her voice cut through mine. "And I need you to stop acting like your CO gives a damn whether you or your brother make it past next month."

I stepped back until my spine hit the stone wall. The vault was too small. The air tasted like rust and old smoke. "Why would Ilian want him dead. He's just a clerk. He's sixteen."

"He's your brother." Mara stood up, slow, like she was talking to something spooked. "That's enough. You're the one with the ledger. You're the one the core likes.