Chapter 13 · The Golden Eye Knows Her

"Don't touch that door." Julian caught my wrist before my fingers reached the latch.

I twisted hard. His grip tightened.

"Let go."

"Not until you tell me what you heard."

"I heard my mother's voice coming through every screen in the city. I heard her say Celeste lied. That's enough for me."

"No, it isn't." Julian stepped between me and the door. His coat was torn at the shoulder, and blood ran from his temple to his jaw. He looked pale, but his hand stayed steady around my wrist. "The voice came from below us. The door is sealed from the other side."

"Then we'll break it."

"And walk into a trap?"

"You led me here."

His mouth went flat. "I got you past three armed gates, killed the alarm, and took a bullet for you. If I wanted you trapped, Mara, I would've left you in the broadcast room."

"You also knew this place existed."

"I knew my family had a lower vault. I didn't know Celeste had turned it into an altar."

"You always have an answer."

"And you always have a knife. We both have problems."

The door hummed under my palm.