Chapter 20 · The Real Debt Holder

"You think breaking the mark means anything?" The ghost wearing Iris's face tilted its head. "Morrow Vale owns this debt. He owns both of you."

I shoved Iris behind me. "Who the hell is Morrow Vale?"

The ghost smiled wider. "Ask her."

Iris's hand locked around my wrist. Her pulse hammered against my skin. "Cade, we need to go. Now."

"Not until someone tells me what's—"

The air split open.

No warning. No sound. Just a vertical slice of black that peeled the room apart like tearing paper. On the other side stood a man in a coat so dark it ate the light around it. Tall. Sharp-boned. Eyes like old ice.

Morrow Vale stepped through.

The ghost bowed and melted into the floor. Gone.

Morrow looked at me first. Then at Iris. His mouth curved, but it wasn't a smile. It was the shape a knife makes when it catches the light.

"Iris Thorne," he said. His voice was smooth. Too smooth. "You've been very busy."

Iris didn't move. Didn't breathe. I felt her grip tighten until her nails bit into my wrist.

"And you," Morrow turned to me, "must be the collector who keeps dying."

"That's me.