Chapter 30 · Burn the Old Law

The sword didn't move.

Lucas stood at the bottom of the stairs, blade against his own throat, and his eyes were screaming at her to run. His hand was steady. His face was blank. But the pulse jumping in his neck told her everything his mouth wouldn't say.

Vivian stopped three steps up. Her hand gripped the bannister hard enough her knuckles went white.

"Put it down."

"No."

"Lucas—"

"You walk into that council chamber tonight, you're dead." His voice was flat. Empty. Like he'd already buried her. "Cyrus doesn't need evidence. He doesn't need a trial. He just needs you in the room."

She took another step down. Slowly. Her heartbeat was too loud in her ears.

"Then he'll get me in the room."

"Vivian—"

"And Eliza will have the ledgers. The land deeds. The kill orders with his seal." She kept her voice level. Calm. Even though her throat was closing up. "We go tonight or we don't go at all."

"There won't be a 'we.'" The blade pressed harder. A thin line of red appeared on his skin. "You think I can stand beside you in that chamber? You think they'll let me?"

She froze.

He laughed.