Chapter 24 · The Name He Buried

"Say the name, or I trigger the collar." Silas kept one hand around my wrist while the other held the contract screen inches from my face.

The metal band at my throat clicked.

I stopped fighting for half a second. Not because I was scared of the collar. Because the screen showed a name I had never seen before.

HERA VALE.

Under it sat a blank field marked CODENAME.

"You dragged me into a kill room for a spelling test?" I asked.

"No." His thumb pressed against my pulse. Warm. Steady. Infuriatingly calm. "I dragged you here because three Ghost Codes breached the city grid, and every one of them answered to you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You said that last time."

"Then maybe you should stop asking stupid questions."

His eyes narrowed. The room's red security lights cut sharp lines across his face. Silas always looked like he had already read the ending. Tonight, though, his jaw was tight.

Good. Let him sweat.

I twisted hard. His grip followed, turning my wrist until my shoulder pulled. My back hit the steel table behind me.