Chapter 9 · Vault Marker

"You're coming with me." I grabbed Carson's wrist before he could turn away from the gate.

He didn't pull back. Just looked at my hand, then at my face. "Where?"

"Old district. Southeast corner." I let go. The control ring was still warm against my skin. "There's a door I can't open alone."

"What door?"

"I don't know yet." The quest marker pulsed in the corner of my vision. Throne Awakening—Phase One. Coordinates locked. "But the system wants me there, and I'm guessing it's not going to be a supply closet."

Carson's jaw tightened. "The old district's been sealed for three years. Nothing down there but corpses and rust."

"Then we'll fit right in." I stepped past him, heading for the stairs. "You said you wanted answers. This is where we start."

His hand caught my shoulder. Not rough, but firm enough to stop me cold. "I didn't say I'd follow you blind."

I turned. We were too close. I could smell the ash on his coat, see the thin line of blood drying at his collar. "You swore you'd guard this city. So guard it. Because whatever's in that vault, it's the next piece of the core.