Chapter 21 · Dad's Voice in the Crystal

"Play it again."

Calder's claw hovered over the crystal, stone fingers twitching. "Mara, we don't know who else is listening—"

"I said play it." I yanked the cuff chain hard enough that his wrist slammed into the workbench. The crystal rolled, still glowing that sick pale blue.

He didn't argue. He pressed one talon to the surface.

Dad's voice filled the room again, crackling like old wire. "If you're hearing this, Seraphine already killed me. Or she's about to. Either way, don't trust the ward-core file. The third name's been scrubbed. Calder Quill knows why."

The recording cut off with a wet pop, like someone had ripped the spell apart mid-cast.

I stared at Calder. He stared at the crystal.

"So," I said. "Want to tell me why my dead father thinks you're the key to his murder?"

"He's not dead."

"What?"

Calder straightened, wings folding tight against his back. "He said 'already killed' or 'about to.' Past or future. He didn't know which. That means he cast this before she made her move."

"Stop lawyer-talking and answer the damn question."

"I don't know why he named me." His voice dropped, rough as gravel scraped over iron.