Chapter 11 · The Burned Mark

"You saw something." Mina's voice cut through the ringing in my ears. She was already on her feet, blood running over the key in her hand. "What did you see?"

I tried to answer. My throat locked.

"Jace." She stepped closer. "Don't make me ask twice."

The memory was fading, but one piece stayed lodged in my head like broken glass.

"I was inside the tower," I said. "I handed someone over."

Her fingers closed around my wrist before I could say more. Cold skin. Slick blood. A grip hard enough to hurt.

"Who?"

"A kid. Eight or nine. He was crying."

"What kid?"

"I don't know." I forced myself to meet her eyes. "I saw my hand on his shoulder. I pushed him forward. Mina, I think it was your brother."

She released me as if I'd burned her. The key slipped from her hand and struck the floor.

"No."

"I don't remember doing it."

"No."

"The memory came from the key. It felt real."

"You're lying."

"Why would I lie about this?" I pushed myself upright. My knees nearly buckled. "You think I want to be the guy who delivered a kid to that tower?"

"You couldn't have."