Chapter 43 · The Traitor Order

"Don't touch that lever unless you want the whole train ripped in half."

Dorian caught my wrist before my fingers reached the brake assembly.

His grip was hot, hard, and slick with blood. The service bay shook under our feet. Loose bolts rattled across the steel floor while men shouted somewhere behind the wall.

The train tore down the line with no working brakes.

I yanked against him. "Then tell me what I'm supposed to do. Stand here and wave at the station while my brother gets executed?"

Dorian's jaw locked. "You think I don't know who's waiting at Judgment Station?"

"You signed the transfer order. You sent him there."

"I signed a copy."

He shoved me away from the lever just as another violent jolt threw us into the side rail. His shoulder slammed into mine. His breath hit my cheek, hot and sharp with metal dust.

"The real order came from someone wearing my seal."

"Convenient."

"Mara—"

"Don't use my name like that."

I planted my palm against his chest and pushed. His coat was torn beneath my hand.