Chapter 14 · Names in the Sand

The phone was still glowing when Marco pulled up outside.

I didn't wait for him to knock. I yanked the door open before his knuckles even touched the wood, and he froze—one hand raised, the other holding a thermal cup that smelled like burnt coffee and regret.

"You knew," I said.

He didn't ask what I meant. He just looked at me, then past me, into the apartment where Kira was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed, staring at him like he'd just walked into enemy territory.

"Can I come in?" Marco said quietly.

I stepped aside. He walked past me, set the cup on the counter, and stood there for a second like he was trying to figure out where to start.

"My mom said Kira's name," I said. "On a voicemail from ten years ago. A voicemail that should not exist. And then my phone lit up with a call from myself."

Marco rubbed his face. "Yeah."

"Yeah? That's all you've got?"

Kira stood up. "He's been sitting on this the whole time, Layla. He knew your mom worked with the Bureau. He knew about the rift anchor program. He knew what you are.