Chapter 33 · I follow plans that aren't built on lies

She slapped his hand away. "I follow plans that aren't built on lies."

His face changed. Not much. His mouth tightened, and the blue glow under his skin faded.

"You want the truth? Fine." He stepped into the space between her and the door. "The debt was fake. I knew it was fake. I let the company chase me because I needed someone who could see the original mark. I found you because your name was buried in the same file."

Ayla stopped breathing for half a second.

"My name?"

"Ayla—"

"Say it."

"Not here."

"Say it now."

"Your family is alive because that file was sealed. If the company learns you can read the old registry, they won't arrest you. They'll erase you."

"You don't get to threaten me with things you caused."

"I didn't cause the seal."

"But you knew about it."

"I knew there was a connection. I didn't know what it was."

"You knew enough to drag me across the city."

"I knew enough to keep you breathing."

"Stop saying that like it makes you noble."

"I'm not noble. I'm trying to stay alive.