Chapter 21 · The Other End of the Chain

The bridge smells like rust and old blood.

Kai's lungs are still burning from the run, but his eyes are locked on the third door. It's taller than the others, carved from black stone that looks wet even though nothing's dripping. And behind it, through the gap where the hinges don't quite meet the frame, he can see his father.

Chained. Wrists pinned to the wall by iron that's gone dark with dried blood. Head hanging forward. Then lifting, slow, like it costs him everything.

"Dad."

Kai's voice cracks. He takes a step. Vera's hand slams across his chest.

"Don't." Her voice is flat. No room for argument.

"That's my father."

"I know."

"Then let me go."

"Kai." She's still gripping his shirt. Her knuckles are white. "That door doesn't open from this side. You walk in, it shuts behind you. And whatever Luca did to him, it's still in there."

Kai shoves her hand off. Not hard. Just enough. "He's alive."

"For now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Vera doesn't answer. She's staring past him, at the figure behind his father. Luca Han. Half-shadow, half-man, leaning against the far wall like he's got all the time in the world.