Chapter 11 · The Ash Ledger - Chapter 11: Soren's Price

Soren kicked the door open before the handler could finish knocking.

The man stumbled back, one hand going for his belt. Soren already had his gun out. "Don't."

The handler froze. Mid-thirties, clean uniform, the kind of face you forgot two minutes after he left. Perfect for wet work. He raised both hands slowly. "Investigator Dax. I'm here on behalf of—"

"I know who sent you." Soren stepped into the hallway and shut the door behind him. His apartment was the only thing in this city he didn't want blood on. "Talk fast."

The handler's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Your family's transport leaves in four hours. Scenic route. New papers. The house on the coast your wife's been asking about." He pulled a folded contract from his jacket, two fingers, slow. "All you have to do is sign."

Soren didn't lower the gun. "And bring them Rowan Vale's head."

"Alive would be better. But the council's flexible."

Soren snatched the contract. Three pages. His wife's name. His daughter's name. The address of the safe house. All correct. All real.