Chapter 9 · The Ledger Names Mara

"Move." Mara shoved me through the gate before the scream finished echoing.

I hit the stairs hard, caught the rail, kept going down. The air turned wet and cold. Metal steps, slick under my boots. The ledger burned hot against my ribs.

"How far?" I asked.

"Don't know."

"Great."

"You wanted in."

Another scream, closer now. Young. Terrified. I took the steps three at a time and Mara kept pace behind me, her breath loud in the narrow shaft.

"You know her?" I said.

"No."

"Ephraim's niece. The ledger showed me."

"Then you know more than I do."

I stopped. Turned. She nearly ran into me. Two steps above, which put her eyes level with mine. Close enough I could see the pulse at her throat.

"Stop lying," I said.

"I'm not."

"You brought me here."

"I brought you to the gate. You wrote your name."

"And now it's showing me a kid drowning under Cinderfall."

Mara's jaw tightened. "Then move faster."

She pushed past me and I let her. The stairs kept spiraling. Water sloshed somewhere below, getting louder. My hand found the ledger through my jacket. Still hot. Still humming.

"Why'd it add you?" I asked her back.