Chapter 14 · A Dead Man's Account

Mara's gun didn't shake.

That was the first bad sign.

The second was Nolan dropping against the doorframe behind Evelyn, one hand pressed to his ribs, black fire crawling up his neck like it had all the time in the world.

"Tell me I'm seeing things," Mara said.

Evelyn kept both hands up. Her palms were filthy from the tunnel. Her right one still stung where the blue rail ward had burned through her glove. "You're seeing a very expensive problem. Put the gun down."

"That's Nolan Kade."

"Yeah."

"Nolan Kade died four hours ago."

Behind her, Nolan let out a rough laugh that turned into a cough. He wiped blood off his mouth with the back of his hand. "Apparently I had plans."

Mara didn't even look at him.

Her pistol stayed aimed at Evelyn's chest.

The safe house was barely bigger than the room above a butcher shop. One narrow bed. One cracked kitchen counter. A rusted heater ticking in the corner.