Chapter 30 · If I take it there, Marlow gets it

I tried to move closer, but the memory dragged me backward.

Adrian answered her.

"If I take it there, Marlow gets it."

My mother's voice shook. "Then what do you want?"

"Time."

The scene burst into white static.

I dragged in a breath and found Adrian's arms around me.

"You saw it," he said.

"You were in her house."

"Yes."

"You knew her."

"Yes."

"You lied when you said you barely knew her."

"I lied because the truth would've put you on Marlow's list sooner."

I shoved at his chest. The circuit refused to let us separate. The silver strip stretched between our wrists, alive and burning.

"You don't get to make that choice for me."

"I made it before I knew you'd hate me for it."

"You knew me well enough to know I'd hate you."

"I knew you well enough to know you'd run straight into a locked vault if I told you the door was dangerous."

"You married me to keep me out?"

"I married you because the tribunal had already attached your name to the theft."

"That isn't an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting until this opens."

"No.