Chapter 27 · You brought it?

He pulled the oilcloth packet free and shoved it against her chest.

Her eyes widened. "You brought it?"

"I brought a decoy."

"You lying—"

"The real one is in my boot. You want it, keep me alive."

She stared at him as if she might actually shoot him for the pleasure of it.

"You're impossible."

"You like impossible."

"I like useful."

"Keep telling yourself that."

She grabbed his collar and pulled his face close. Her breath shook against his mouth.

"Listen to me," she said. "If you betray me in that archive, the pact won't save you. I'll cut the mark out of your back myself."

Kael's grip closed around her wrist. "If you betray me, I burn the book."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

For one second, the gunfire seemed far away.

Then Sloane released him.

"Follow me."

They broke from cover and sprinted down a service stairway. Sloane kicked open a rusted gate, shoved Kael through, and slammed it behind them. The patrol hit the gate seconds later.

She dragged him into a narrow tunnel and pressed her palm to a black iron door.