Chapter 27 · Original statements

She crossed the room and dropped the pages in front of the councilor.

"Original statements," Evelyn said. "The ink was scraped off and rewritten. I restored enough to read the names."

Bram lunged for the papers.

Lucan moved first.

He caught Bram by the collar and slammed him back against the witness rail. Wood cracked under Bram's spine.

"Touch one page," Lucan said, "and I break the hand you sign with."

Bram's breath punched out. "You think you can threaten me in front of the council?"

"I'm not threatening you."

Lucan's grip tightened.

"I'm telling you what happens next."

Nora watched Bram's face twist under Lucan's hand. For years, Bram had made other people kneel. Now his polished boots scraped against the floor while Lucan held him off the ground.

It should have felt better.

It did, a little.

Then Bram looked at Nora.

"Please," he said.

The word cut through the room.

Lucan released him, and Bram dropped hard onto both knees.

He crawled toward Nora before anyone could stop him. His hand caught the hem of her coat.

"Nora, please. You know me. You know what we had.