Chapter 20 · Ash Ledger - Chapter 20: The Deal Under Stone

"You're not going anywhere." Mara's blade sat against Ilan's throat before I could shout her name.

We were still in the vault. The old stone table between us. Ilan hadn't moved from his chair. The ledger sat open on the surface, ink still wet where the last oath had burned itself in.

Ilan didn't flinch. He looked at Mara like she was a clerk who'd handed him the wrong form.

"Miss Venn," he said. "I wondered when you'd try."

"Shut up." Her hand didn't shake. The edge pressed hard enough that a thin line of red started down his collar. "You sold my family. You put a warrant on my brother. You want to hand this whole march to Korvan and pocket the coin."

"True," Ilan said. "Also true: your brother is alive."

Mara's jaw locked. I saw her knuckles go white around the hilt.

"He's lying," I said. Kept my voice flat. "He'll say anything."

"Camp Greythaw," Ilan said. "East ridge, third clearance. Korvan keeps the hostages there. Officers' families. Captive scouts. Your brother included."

Mara didn't move. Didn't blink.

"Rowan," she said. "Is he lying."

I didn't know. The ledger didn't track enemy camps.