Chapter 9 · Then Don’t Give Me a Reason

“Then don’t give me a reason.”

For the first time since the vault locked down, Lucan almost smiled. Not soft. Not kind. Just a sharp lift at one corner of his mouth.

“Stay behind me.”

“Try ordering me again.”

“Fine. Walk beside me and don’t touch anything with a red seal.”

“That’s better.”

They slipped through the gap.

The vault slammed shut behind them with a heavy boom.

Inside, the air burned hotter. Red lines crossed the floor, linking every shelf to a black stone column in the center. The column pulsed like a slow heartbeat.

Nora’s arm flared with pain.

“Which file?” she asked.

“Case 7719.”

“The curse-murder investigation?”

“Yes.”

“My investigation.”

“Your stolen investigation.”

She shot him a look. “You knew it was here.”

“I suspected.”

“You suspected a lot for a man who claims he didn’t know the order was altered.”

“Keep your voice down.”

“Why? The vault might overhear us?”

“The wards will.”

He moved between two shelves, scanning the black labels. Nora followed, though every step drove hot needles through her feet.

“Left,” she whispered.

Lucan stopped. “How do you know?”

“The ink is wrong.”

“That’s your gift talking?”

“That’s my work you stole.