Chapter 10 · The Dead Tenant's Lease

"Where's the original contract?"

Daniel stopped halfway down the basement stairs. His hand went tight on the railing.

"Leah—"

"Don't." I was right behind him, close enough to see the muscles bunch between his shoulder blades. "You said Mara had unfinished business. You said the house keeps what it's owed. So where's the paper that started all this?"

He didn't turn around. The single bulb overhead threw his shadow long and crooked down the concrete steps.

"It's not that simple."

"Then make it simple." I grabbed his shoulder and yanked. He turned fast, too fast, and suddenly I was the one backed against the stair rail with his hand braced beside my head.

"You don't want to go down there," he said.

His voice was low. Careful. The kind of careful people use when they're holding something sharp.

"Why? Because Mara's waiting?"

"Because you won't like what you find."

I met his eyes. They were dark in the bad light, and I couldn't read them at all.

"Try me."

For a second I thought he'd push back. Tell me to go upstairs, lock the door, let him handle it. But he stepped aside and kept walking.

"Fine," he said.