Chapter 7 · Sable Wants Blood

Sable's holding a tablet in one hand and a gun in the other.

I stop so fast Dorian nearly walks into my back. The hallway's empty except for her. No bodyguards, no backup, just Sable Quinn leaning against the wall like she's been waiting here all night. Her jacket's leather, her boots are scuffed, and the gun's pointed at the floor. For now.

"Congratulations," she says. Her voice is flat. "Nice wedding."

Dorian steps around me, and I feel his hand brush my wrist. Not holding me back, just letting me know he's there. "Quinn. You weren't on the guest list."

"Yeah, well." Sable tilts her head. "I don't need an invitation to deliver bad news."

She taps the tablet screen, and I see it. The same screenshot from the press conference. My hand. The ring glowing red. And that label underneath: *Moon Debt Vessel. Council claim pending.*

My stomach drops.

"So," Sable says, "how long were you two planning to keep that quiet?"

Dorian doesn't move. "That feed's restricted. How'd you get it?"

"I'm a broker." Sable smirks, but there's no humor in it. "I get everything. And right now, half the underground's bidding on her location.