Chapter 7 · The Dead Woman's File

"You don't get to kill her just because the council stamped her name in red."

Cedric's voice hit the archive doors before I could see him.

I stood behind a stack of sealed record crates, one hand pressed over my mouth, the other gripping the shard of black metal hidden beneath my sleeve. Two officers blocked the entrance. Three more had their rifles raised toward the center of the room.

Toward Cedric.

And toward me.

"Commander," Captain Rusk snapped, "step away from the prisoner."

Cedric didn't move. His coat was open, his knife belt half-fastened, like he'd left his quarters in the middle of dressing. His hair was still damp at the temples. He looked dangerous enough without a weapon in his hand.

He had one anyway.

The blade rested against Rusk's throat.

"Say prisoner again," Cedric said, "and I'll open your neck in front of your men."

Rusk swallowed. The knife tip pressed harder.

I should have stayed hidden. That would have been smart.

Smart had never saved my family.

I stepped out from behind the crates. "You can stop pretending this is about procedure."

Every rifle swung toward me.

Cedric's head turned fast.