Chapter 20 · The Traitor Breathing

"You're going to want to sit down for this one."

Vex stood in the doorway, holding a folded sheet of parchment like it might bite him.

I didn't sit. "Just say it."

"Your pardon came through." He stepped inside, kicked the door shut behind him. "Official seal. Commander Valen's signature. Everything."

I stared at him. "What?"

"Royal clemency. Full reinstatement. Your name's clean, Dane." He tossed the parchment onto the table between us. "Congratulations. You're not a traitor anymore."

I didn't move. Didn't reach for it.

"There's a catch," I said.

"Always is." Vex leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You have to show up at the garrison by sundown. Alone. Commander wants to personally hand you your sword back."

"He wants me dead."

"Probably. But the pardon's real. I checked. Three different sources. The paperwork's legitimate."

I picked up the parchment. The seal was perfect. The signature matched every document I'd ever seen with Valen's name on it. My hands didn't shake. They should have.

"When did this come through?"

"Two hours ago. Courier brought it straight to the Pits office. They were looking for you."

"Why now?" I set the paper down.