Chapter 27 · Don't Trust the Save Button

"Captain." Joss's voice came from the left stairwell, tight and careful. "We need you to step back from the courier."

Mara didn't turn. She kept her eyes on the street below, her hand loose on her holster, and said, "How long you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

"Long enough to hear what?"

"Enough to know you're not bringing him in." Joss moved into the light, her crossbow slung low but ready. "Tam's got the south exit. Veck's watching the roof door. We're not asking twice."

Rowan shifted beside her, and Mara felt the heat of him too close, the way his breath caught when he saw the bolt loaded in Joss's string. She said, "Don't."

"Don't what?" Rowan's voice was all edge. "Don't run? Don't fight? Don't die again so you can write another report?"

"Don't make me choose," she said, and the words tasted like rust.

Joss took another step. "Captain, I don't know what he said to you, but Crowe's got a warrant with your name countersigning it. You dragged him to the gallows yourself. What changed?"

"I did," Mara said. "I changed."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting.