Chapter 23 · Vesper, if Kael is touching you, he's already afraid

The station speakers crackled.

A woman's voice slid through the dead air. Distorted. Familiar.

"Vesper, if Kael is touching you, he's already afraid."

My mentor.

I shoved Kael's hand away. This time, he let me.

"You heard her," I said. "She's alive."

"Or someone has a recording."

"She used my old call sign."

"Anyone with your file could use it."

"You said the file was sealed."

"It was."

"Then your seal is garbage."

The speaker hissed again.

"Come to Platform Nine. Bring the heir. If he refuses, tell him Selina has the proof."

Kael went completely still.

I watched the reaction hit him. Not fear. Something colder. A calculation that had just lost three possible exits.

"What proof?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"You froze."

"I didn't."

"You did. Your left hand stopped moving."

His fingers flexed once.

"You notice too much."

"That's why you hired me."

"I didn't hire you. I acquired your contract."

"Cute distinction."

"It keeps you alive."

"It keeps me owned."

He stepped around the kiosk and raised his pistol. I followed, blade in hand, keeping close enough that our shoulders bumped when we moved.

The screen marked a route through the station.