Chapter 27 · Your clearance was erased

He stared at me. "Your clearance was erased."

"Not all of it."

I grabbed the cracked phone from the floor and shoved it into his hand. "The contract copied my old shield signature. Put it against the lock."

"If the system recognizes you, it will mark your location."

"It already marked my face across every screen in the city."

"Vesper."

"Do it."

He pressed the phone to the wall panel.

The panel rejected it.

ACCESS DENIED.

"Again," I said.

"It's not working."

"Break the lock."

"With what?"

"The power you stole from me."

His eyes hardened. "It isn't mine."

"Then stop pretending it is."

The screen above us changed again.

A recorded image of Silas appeared. Perfect suit. Calm smile. Not a hair out of place.

"Citizens of Meridian," he said, "we have confirmed that Vesper Rane survived the tribunal attack. She has now assaulted League personnel and taken control of Julian Vale, the city's most trusted protector. Please remain indoors while our teams contain the threat."

Julian's fingers curled around the phone.

Silas continued.

"If you see either subject, do not approach. Report them immediately. The League will restore order."

I looked at Julian. "He sounds confident.