Chapter 6 · The Signature on My Death Order

"That signature is yours." Bram's voice came through the black seal before Nora could touch the next line.

The seal flashed.

A sheet of old parchment lifted from the open box and slapped against the air between Nora and Lucan. His name sat at the bottom in thick black ink.

Lucan Thorne.

Below it, one command.

Nora Bell is to be executed at dawn.

Her fingers went cold.

"Tell me it isn't real," she said.

Lucan didn't answer.

That was answer enough.

The seal dragged the parchment toward the center of the archive. Black light spilled over the floor, turning the locked evidence room into a live hearing chamber. Three pale windows opened in the air. Council members appeared inside them, their faces sharp and bloodless.

And Bram Calder stood in the middle window.

Nine months younger. Clean coat. Gold chain at his throat. That same pleasant mouth he had used when he promised Nora he would never let anyone touch her.

"Nora," Bram said, smiling at the room and not at her. "You look angry. I suppose death did that to you."

"You forged the blood evidence."

"You were convicted by twelve examiners.