Chapter 36 · Don't mistake necessity for trust

He lowered his voice. "Don't mistake necessity for trust."

"Don't mistake fear for control."

His fingers closed around the edge of my jacket near my shoulder. Not rough. Worse. Careful.

"You really want to know why I stood beside Silas?" he asked.

"I already saw it."

"You saw the part he wanted you to see."

The bond pulsed.

Another memory pushed through. Julian standing in the League's broadcast chamber, the city watching. His hero badge gleamed against his chest. Silas stood behind the cameras, one hand resting on a control switch.

The screen showed a live feed of Julian's sister tied to a chair.

Julian stared straight ahead while the League captain read Vesper's charges.

Then the memory broke.

Julian dropped to one knee.

I caught his shoulder before he hit the floor.

"Hey. Stay with me."

"I'm fine."

"You keep saying that like it makes it true."

"You saw it."

"I saw enough."

"No. You saw the threat. You didn't see what happened after."

"Then talk."

"Not here."

"Why? Because the walls might tell Silas?"

"Because if I say it out loud, you'll try to carry it too."

I stared at him. "I am already carrying it.