Chapter 14 · You locked us in?

He pulled a small black coin from inside his sleeve and crushed it between his fingers.

The chamber doors slammed shut.

Iron bars dropped across them from the outside.

"You locked us in?" Sylvia demanded.

"No," the assassin said. "They did."

Boots thundered beyond the door. Dozens of them.

Cassian took one step forward. Sylvia's body moved with him, though she did not give permission.

"Cassian."

"The rules are not a leash."

"They are if you keep trying to get me killed."

"I can break the door."

"And bring the whole district down on us."

"Then we kill our way out."

"You really only know three plans."

"They work."

The assassin pushed himself upright, one hand pressed to his ribs. "Your king is right about one thing. They won't take you alive."

Sylvia faced him. "Who are they?"

He wiped blood from his mouth. "The people who hired me."

"Names."

"No."

"Then start with the price."

The boots outside stopped.

A voice called through the door. "Sylvia Vale! Step away from the prisoner and surrender the Abyss vessel!"

Her stomach tightened.

Cassian's hand closed around hers from the inside. Not taking control.