Chapter 18 · Buying a Traitor

"Pick one, Quinn."

Varric’s blade dug half an inch deeper. Kaela didn't scream—she just made this wet, choking sound as air caught on steel.

"The book or the girl," Varric sneered. "You don't get both."

My palm was already bleeding onto the Ledger. The paper felt hot. The page glowed under my skin like it was breathing, drinking me in.

"Let her go," I snapped. "You want the Ledger? Deal with me. Not her."

Varric smiled. He didn't budge the knife. "I *am* dealing with you. She's the price tag. Three seconds to write your terms before I open her throat. One."

Kaela’s eyes locked onto mine. They were wet. Furious. She shook her head—*no, don't you dare.*

"Don't give him shit!" she choked out. "Silas—don't. Don't trade it. I'd rather—"

"Shut up, love," Varric whispered against her ear. "He's not trading for you. He's trading you away. Isn't that right, boy?"

"Two."

The Ledger pulsed. Hungry. It wanted ink. It wanted a price.

I slammed my other hand down on the page. "Ledger! Buy! I need muscle! I need his man!"

Varric laughed. "His man? Who?"

Behind him, Joren shifted. Varric's second. His debtblade with the scarred mouth.