Chapter 15 · The Golden Core

"Drop the shield, Vesper, or I put a round through Julian's core." The League enforcer pressed a black rifle against Julian's chest, right over the glowing gold mark beneath his shirt.

Julian's hand closed around my wrist. His palm was hot. Too hot.

"Tell your dog to move the gun," he said.

"You don't get to give orders right now," I snapped.

"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

The underground clinic shook as another blast hit the outer door. Dust spilled from the ceiling. Behind the enforcer, three League agents aimed their weapons at us while the shield's blue light crawled over the walls.

The map from the shield still hovered between Julian and me. One red line pulsed beneath his name.

NEXT EXTRACTION: JULIAN VALE.

Not a warrant. Not an arrest.

Extraction.

They wanted him alive long enough to take something out of him.

The enforcer smiled when he saw me read it. "Now you understand why we came. Step away from him, traitor. Your contract won't protect you from the League."

"It doesn't need to," I said. "Your aim is terrible."

Julian turned his head a fraction. "Vesper.