Chapter 24 · Seals Do Not Obey Masters

The emergency passage spat them into the old courier vault three floors beneath Finch & Feather.

Lio hit the stone on one knee. Pain flashed through her ribs, followed by a second pulse that did not belong to her heart.

Oro.

The dragon's presence coiled beneath her breastbone, hot and immense. Every breath dragged sparks through her lungs. Somewhere beyond the walls, the buried gate answered with a groan deep enough to shake dust from the ceiling.

Mara stumbled out after her, one hand clamped over the wound in her side. Blood had soaked through her coat and dripped between her fingers. Cael emerged last, shoulder-first, his broken inspector's badge still hanging from its chain around his neck. Black veins crawled from beneath his collar and vanished under his jaw.

"Seal the passage," Mara gasped.

Lio turned toward the bronze emergency door. The etched courier sigils were already dimming.

Behind them, something struck the other side.

Once.

The entire vault trembled.

Cael shoved his good shoulder against the door. "How long?"

"Long enough if you stop asking questions and start pushing."

Mara limped to the control pillar and slapped her bloody palm against the lock.