Chapter 16 · The Door Mom Left Open

"You're not bringing him."

Milo doesn't look up from his screen. Three monitors glow in the dark of his apartment, reflecting off the empty energy drink cans stacked like a tin pyramid on his desk. He's got code scrolling on one, a security cam feed on another, and something that looks like a building schematic on the third.

"He's already here," I say.

That gets his attention. Milo spins his chair around, eyes wide. "You brought Kael Mercer to my place?"

"I brought the mark." I hold up my wrist. The black lines have spread past my elbow now, crawling like vines under my skin. "You said you needed it to unlock the vault."

"I need the signature." Milo stands, crossing his arms. He's skinnier than the last time I saw him, which was two weeks ago. "I don't need the guy attached to it walking around my stuff."

"Your stuff is a couch and six computers."

"Seven. And that's not the point."

I glance back toward the door. Kael's in the hallway, leaning against the wall like he owns the building. Maybe he does. I wouldn't put it past him.