Chapter 34 · Buying a City

"One truth or one limb, Silas. Clock's ticking."

The creditor’s voice was a razor on glass. Cold. Precise. He didn't even look at me. His eyes were locked on the Ledger floating between us, hungry for those gold-leafed pages.

I backed away, my heels catching on the rug. "I don't have a truth you want!"

"Wrong answer."

He flicked his wrist. An invisible hammer slammed me into the mahogany wall. The air left my lungs in a pathetic wheeze. My head cracked against the wood, and the room spun into a dizzying blur.

"Get away from him!" Kaela screamed. Her blade flashed, a silver streak lunging for his throat.

He didn't even turn. A shimmering barrier erupted from the floor, throwing her back with a violent jolt. She hit the polished floor hard, sliding several feet.

"Stay out of this, little debtblade," he sneered.

He stepped closer. Boots clicking. He leaned in, breath smelling of expensive mint and old blood. "Your master is a bankrupt child playing with a god's toy. Now—do we do this the easy way, or do I start with your fingers?"

I looked at the Ledger. Pages flipping frantically. Ink bleeding red. *Interest due.