Chapter 10 · The Memory Silt

"Get your hands off him, Cael!"

Mara slammed her shoulder into his chest. Hard.

Cael didn't budge. He was a wall of granite, eyes locked on Leo with a cold, predatory focus. He didn't even glance at her.

"He's not your brother, Vey," Cael snapped. "Look at his eyes. Look at the way he stands. This is a lure."

"He knows the code!" Mara stepped between them, chest heaving. "He told me the same thing we said when we were seven! How does a lure know that?"

"Magic can dig up a lot of trash if the price is right." Cael stepped forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low vibration. "You're too damn eager to believe him because you're desperate. That makes you a liability."

Leo smiled. It wasn't comforting. It was thin, knowing, and completely wrong for a crumbling cathedral.

"It's okay, Mara," Leo said. "He's just doing what he was told. After all... he's carrying the blade meant for your heart, isn't he?"

Mara froze. She turned slowly to Cael. The air suddenly tasted like ozone and old blood.

"Is that true?"

Cael didn't blink. "I have orders."

"Orders?" Mara's voice cracked. "I thought—"

"You thought what?