Chapter 25 · Every Name Wants Her

Mara's face is on every contract holder in Greyhaven by morning.

Not a wanted poster. Worse. A blood trace. Every signed soul in the city wakes up seeing her reflection in their mirror instead of their own. They blink and it's gone, but the itch stays. The pull. The need to find her and bring her in.

Nia's the one who tells her. Bangs on the safe house door at dawn, breath coming fast. "You need to move. Now."

Mara's already awake. She hasn't slept since Julian told her the truth. Since she found out her brother turned her into the anchor for a city-wide trap and Julian handed her over three years ago thinking he was saving her life.

She opens the door. Nia shoves past her, checks the windows, pulls the curtains. "Elias broadcasted you through the blood lines. Every contract in the city's got your face burned into it. People are already gathering outside the locksmith district."

"How many?"

"Hundreds. Maybe more by noon." Nia turns, and her eyes are scared. Nia doesn't do scared. "Mara, they're not coming to arrest you. They're coming because they can't help it. The contracts are making them.