Chapter 13 · The Second Name

"We need to move." Mara's hand was already on my arm, pulling me toward the stairwell before I'd finished reading the second name.

Nia Holt.

"No." I twisted out of her grip. "We're getting her out."

"Jace, listen to me—"

"She's at the garage. Right now. We can—"

"It's bait." Mara stepped in front of me, blocking the door. "They put her name on that list knowing you'd see it. Knowing you'd run straight to her."

"Then I run." I shoved past her shoulder. "Get out of my way."

"And walk into what?" She grabbed my jacket, yanked me back hard enough that I hit the wall. "A sweep team? A transport van? You think they're just going to let you walk out with her?"

I could feel my pulse in my teeth. "I don't care what they let me do."

"You should." Her face was too close, her voice dropping into something colder. "Because if you go down, your sister goes on the block tomorrow, and Nia disappears into a holding cell you will never find."

I wanted to hit her. Wanted to throw her off me and run until my lungs gave out.