Chapter 12 · You're bleeding on me

"You're bleeding on me."

"You're safer here."

"You say that like you're not the reason every tribunal guard in Vesper Bay is trying to break through walls."

"I'm not the reason."

"Your family owns half the memory grid."

"And Marlow wants the other half."

The lift rattled hard. His heartbeat thudded beneath my cheek, uneven but stubborn.

"What happens if we find the witness shard?" I asked.

"We copy it before Marlow can erase it."

"And if it proves you stole my mother's memory?"

His arms loosened.

I lifted my head. "Answer me."

"Then you turn me in."

"That easy?"

"No."

His gaze dropped to my mouth again.

"But you should."

The lift stopped.

He released me first, like the choice had cost him.

The lower harbor level smelled of salt, rust, and old electrical fire. No guards waited near the maintenance shaft.

That made my skin crawl.

Adrian stepped out with one hand braced against the lift frame.

"You're getting weaker," I said.

"I'm fine."

"You lie badly when you're hurt."

"You notice too much."

"It's my job."

"Your job was taken from you."

I shoved him toward the corridor.