Chapter 16 · The Bride Is the Key

Lucas stepped out first.

Vivian's hand was still on the shelf behind her, fingers pressed against the cold metal like she could disappear into it. Her heart hammered so hard she thought Cyrus could probably hear it from across the room.

"Councilor Grey," Lucas said. His voice was flat. Empty. Like he'd already decided this was how tonight ended.

Cyrus didn't move. He stood at the entrance with his hands folded behind his back, the two guards flanking him like statues. Eliza hung back near the doorframe, her arms crossed, her expression carefully neutral. But her eyes flicked to Vivian for half a second, and there was something there. Warning, maybe. Or pity.

"Lord Croft," Cyrus said. He smiled, slow and sharp. "Breaking into council archives. With your lovely bride, no less. I have to say, I didn't expect you to be this reckless."

Vivian's fingers curled tighter around the ledgers she'd stuffed under her coat. The torn page with Cyrus's purge order was folded against her ribs, the ink still smelling faintly of blood and iron.

Lucas didn't answer.