Chapter 11 · Under the Family Throne

The key's cold in my hand. Marcus is gone. The alley smells like piss and rain and I'm standing here like an idiot holding a piece of metal that's supposed to get me into a crypt.

Karl's watching me. He hasn't said anything since Marcus walked away. His jaw's tight. The chain marks on his neck look darker under the streetlight.

"So," I say. "Ashe crypt. That mean anything to you?"

He doesn't answer.

"Karl."

"Don't."

"Don't what? Don't ask? Don't use the name that isn't yours?" I step closer. The mark on my shoulder's warm. It's always warm when he's close. "You heard him. The rite's under your family crypt. So either you tell me what that means or I go in blind."

He turns his head. Won't look at me.

"Fine," I say. "I'll figure it out myself."

I start walking. I don't know where the hell I'm going but I'm done standing in alleys waiting for him to decide when he feels like talking.

He catches my wrist.

"Amy."

I yank my arm back. "No. You don't get to do that.