Chapter 14 · The Other Key

"You want the log." Sienna's standing between me and the desk, arms crossed. "Tell me why I should let you anywhere near it."

I'm still shaking from the last loop. Still tasting blood that isn't there anymore. My vision's got a dark spot now, bottom left corner, like someone burned a hole through film.

"Because Mia's in it," I say. "Because you just told me she's alive and I've got maybe three loops left before I can't see, can't hear, can't do anything but die with you."

"That's why you want it." She doesn't move. "Not why I should give it to you."

I step closer. She tenses but holds her ground.

"You think I'll sell her out," I say. "You think the second I find her, I'll drag her back to whatever she ran from."

"Won't you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm the reason she ran."

The words come out flat. True things usually do.

Sienna's eyes narrow. "Explain that."

"Six years ago I worked a job. Standard debt collection, guy owed thirty grand to the wrong people.