Chapter 8 · The Floodgate

"Don't kneel."

Rafe's hand locked around Vera's wrist before her knees hit the flooded stone.

His fingers burned against her skin. Too hot. Dark veins crawled up his forearm from the poison in his palm.

Behind him, a line of northern archers drew their bows.

Lucian stood at the far end of the passage with a warrant in one hand and a smile that made Vera want to cut his throat.

"Commander, step away from the assassin."

"You first," Rafe said.

The iron gates behind Lucian shook.

Something heavy slammed into them from the other side.

Once.

Twice.

The third hit split the old stone arch.

Vera glanced at the black water climbing around their boots. "You brought me into a trap."

"No." Rafe shoved her behind his shoulder. "I brought you to the only place with a way out."

"Funny. It looks a lot like a place where we both die."

"Keep talking and you'll miss the part where I save your life."

Lucian lifted the warrant. "Vera Thorne, by order of the High Council, you're charged with the murder of three council heirs, the theft of sealed records, and the attempted assassination of Commander Rafe Valko.