Chapter 29 · The City Hunts Us

"Then give me the cost."

Dorian's breath caught. His hand closed around my wrist before I could step back.

I held his stare. "Split the damage. I'm already tied to you."

"No."

"You made me a key."

"I made you a way out."

"Same thing, Commander."

His grip wasn't hard enough to hurt. It was firm enough to remind me who owned every gate, every guard, and every loaded weapon in Hollowmere.

I glanced at his fingers, then back at him. "That title doesn't work on me anymore."

"It should."

"Why? Because you're still in charge?"

"Because if I stop being in charge for one second, this city tears itself apart."

"Then let it hear the truth."

The core speakers crackled overhead.

Silas's voice slid through the chamber. Calm. Smooth. Too damn calm.

"You're wasting time, Commander. The purge has reached your command history. In thirty seconds, every gate will flag you as an unauthorized intruder."

Dorian turned toward the display. "Silas, open the channel."

"You don't give me orders anymore."

"You built this trap around my seal.