Chapter 7 · The Dungeon Tag

I didn't sleep.

Couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Mom's face in that dungeon, blood running down her chin, calling my name. And Su Qing's smile when she left. Like she knew exactly what button she'd pushed.

Gu Hanchuan stayed in the outer room all night. I heard him pacing. Once I thought I heard him say my mother's name, but when I got up to check he'd gone silent.

Now it's almost midnight and we're supposed to walk into a trap.

I'm lacing my boots when he knocks. Doesn't wait for an answer, just comes in. He's changed into dark robes, hair tied back. Combat gear. His eyes flick over me—taking in my own dark clothes, the knife I'm sliding into my belt.

"You don't have to do this," he says.

I stand up. "Yeah. I do."

"Lin Wei—"

"She was my mother." My voice comes out harder than I meant. "You think I'm gonna sit here while someone dangles answers in front of me?"

He's quiet for a second. Then: "Fine. But you stay behind me. Anything happens, you run."

I almost laugh. "Sure."

"I'm serious."

"So am I." I meet his eyes.