Chapter 16 · I know memory constructs. I know how they bait people

"I know memory constructs. I know how they bait people."

"You know how to enter them."

His grip tightened at my waist.

"Mara, look at me."

I did.

The judgment mark had spread into his throat. His eyes had turned almost silver. Pain flashed across his face before he locked it away.

"If I sign this, you have to push a memory through the contract," he said. "Not a thought. Not an image. A real memory. Something the vault can't fake."

"Which memory?"

"One the system can use as a living key."

"And yours?"

"The contract takes mine as payment."

"How much?"

He didn't answer.

I shoved at his chest. "How much, Adrian?"

"Enough."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting."

"You don't get to cut pieces out of yourself and call it protection."

"You don't get to demand I keep everything while you lose your name."

His thumb pressed into my waist through my shirt. Heat spread under his hand, distracting and infuriating.

"You think this makes us even?" I asked.

"No."

"Then what does it make us?"

His gaze dipped to my mouth again.

"Married.