Chapter 6 · One Memory Gone

The gray crystal pulsed in Toria's palm and Mark's knees hit the rooftop.

Ella froze three steps onto the tile. The otherworlder was kneeling. The broker woman stood over him with something glowing between her fingers. Blood on the shingles. Mark's hand pressed to his temple like his skull might crack open.

"Step back." Ella's voice came out steadier than her grip on the consecration rod. "Now."

Toria didn't even look up. She tipped the crystal and light bled into a glass vial no bigger than Ella's thumb. The glow settled. Went still. Toria corked it and pocketed the thing in one smooth motion.

"Too late, temple girl." Toria's smile was all teeth. "Deal's done."

Mark pushed himself up. His face was pale. Sweat down his temple. He blinked at Ella like he didn't quite recognize her for a second. Then his mouth twitched.

"Hey." His voice rasped. "Funny seeing you here."

"What did you do to him?" Ella stepped forward. The rod's tip glowed faint white. Not much. She'd only done two years of consecration training and most of that was theory. But Toria didn't need to know that.

Toria raised both hands, slow and mocking. "Relax. He's fine.