Chapter 19 · The Dawn Key

The thing beneath the arena hit the gate again.

The impact rolled through the water like thunder trapped underground. Rust shook loose from the ceiling. A dozen lamps burst in a shower of sparks, plunging half the arena into darkness. The survivors screamed as the flood climbed over their knees.

Eve stood in the center of the ruined water ring with one hand pressed against her ribs. Blue light leaked between her fingers, thin and trembling now, more like a dying flame than the weapon that had torn through the maintenance hound.

Across from her, Cain kept the stolen rifle braced against his shoulder. Blood ran from beneath his makeshift bandage and disappeared into the black water around his boots.

Veyra raised a pistol from the balcony. Her face had gone pale beneath the red arena lights.

Nobody moved.

Then the loudspeakers crackled.

Osric Vane’s voice poured through the arena, smooth as polished glass. “Cain Rook. Former city officer. Unauthorized breach of Consortium property. Sedition. Sabotage. Murder of contracted personnel.”

Cain glanced at Eve. “He forgot trespassing.”

“He’s saving that for the appeal,” Nora said through the comm clipped to Eve’s collar.