Chapter 19 · Traitor File

Kai's wrists were still burning when they shoved him into the stone room.

No windows. One door. And Vera, already cuffed to a ring bolted into the wall.

She looked up. Blood crusted under her nose. Her collar was gone, but her hands were raw where the iron had bit in.

"Kai."

"Don't." He stayed by the door. His pulse hammered under his ribs, and the mark felt like it was eating him from the inside out. "Don't say my name like we're on the same side."

Vera's jaw tightened. She didn't flinch. Didn't apologize.

"RC-44-V," Kai said. The number tasted like rust. "That was on the map. Your traitor number. You knew. The whole time."

"I knew there was a map."

"And you didn't think that was worth mentioning?"

Vera pulled against the cuff. The chain rattled. "I didn't know it was under the test platform. I didn't know Luca would make you—"

"Stop." Kai's hands were shaking. He crossed his arms to hide it. "You needed a body with the right mark. You needed someone stupid enough to walk into Red Heron and stand on that platform. And I did it.