Chapter 18 · The Cost of Remembering

"Who the hell are you?"

Kane’s voice was a blade—cold, sharp, stripped of the heat that usually burned between them. He didn't move. He didn't even look at her with recognition. He just stood there, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, watching her like a stray dog that might bite.

Nora felt the air vanish from her lungs. She took a step forward, boots crunching on the shattered remnants of the memory palace.

"Kane. It’s me. Stop joking. This isn't funny."

"I don't joke with strangers in ruins," he snapped. He shifted his weight, eyes scanning her from head to toe. Not with desire. With tactical, lethal precision. "You’re the bounty hunter? The one I’m supposed to be with? Why are you looking at me like I just killed your dog?"

Nora froze. The distance between them felt like a canyon. Ten minutes ago, he’d practically ripped her soul out of a hallucination. He’d held her, his breath hot against her neck, commanding her to wake up.

Now, he saw a tool. A contract. A stranger.

"You forgot," she whispered. "You actually forgot me."

Kane frowned. "I remember the mission. The border. The Crown." He paused, gaze flickering.