Chapter 6 · Kael Dreams of Death Twelve

"Why is your city marked on a death map?" Kael's hand slammed the table between them.

Seraph didn't flinch. She'd learned that in loop nine. "You tell me. It's your fortress that burned it into the floor."

"My fortress doesn't lie." He moved around the table. Each step deliberate. "The map reads intent. Whose intent shows you dead in Ashveil?"

"Maybe yours." She held her ground. Barely. "You've been staring at me like I'm already a corpse for three days."

He stopped. Close enough she could feel the cold rolling off his armor. "Have we met before?"

"You asked me that at the welcome banquet." Her pulse kicked. Too close to the question she couldn't answer. "I said no then."

"You lied then." Not a question. He tilted his head. "I dream about killing you. Every night since you arrived. Twelve different ways. Same room. Same blood on my hands. Same look on your face when you stop breathing."

The air left her lungs. He remembered. Not everything. But enough to be dangerous.

"Sounds like a guilty conscience," she said. Keep it light. Keep him guessing. "Planning to make it thirteen?"

"I don't plan things I've already done.