Chapter 15 · Deal Off The Table

"Put the deck on the table, Mercer, or I start taking fingers."

Silas Quinn stood three steps away, one gloved hand resting on the silver cane at his side. The other pointed at Cole's chest.

Behind Cole, the vault door slammed shut.

Eve's shoulder hit it with a hard thud. She caught herself, spun, and found two Council guards blocking the only exit. Black coats. White masks. Short blades already drawn.

Cole kept the cursed deck tucked inside his jacket.

"You brought a whole funeral procession," he said. "Feeling insecure?"

Silas smiled without showing teeth. "You killed three of my collectors. You stole a Council asset. You crossed a sealed boundary with a marked soul in your possession. I think I'm being polite."

"You sent the collectors."

"And you were supposed to lose."

Eve pushed off the door. Her eyes cut to Cole, then to the deck hidden beneath his coat. "Don't hand it over."

Silas turned his head. "Broker Vane, you don't get a vote."

"Funny. You keep dragging me into rooms and still expect me to sit quietly."

"Your contract says otherwise.