Chapter 31 · He could make the city believe I had

He could make the city believe I had killed those people.

“Where is he?” Lucan asked.

The officer laughed. “You think the throne room is empty?”

A deep boom rolled through the vault.

The gate split another inch.

Black light spilled across the floor.

The officer stopped laughing.

Lucan released him. The man dropped hard, coughing.

“What did you do?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“You opened the gate.”

“I didn’t touch it.”

“You brought me here.”

His eyes hardened. “I brought you for the records.”

“And the body?”

He didn’t answer.

That was answer enough.

I shoved him toward the gate.

“Move.”

He caught my wrist. “No.”

“You need to get inside.”

“I need to get you out.”

“The proof is inside.”

“It’s bait.”

“Then it’s my bait.”

“Nora, don’t.”

I twisted against his grip. “You promised to help me ruin Bram.”

“I promised to help you survive.”

“Those are not the same thing.”

“They are if Bram is holding the only evidence that can save you.”

“And if we leave it there, he wins.”

Lucan stepped into my space. His hand slid from my wrist to the back of my neck. Not gentle. Not rough enough to hurt.