Chapter 36 · My nails dug into Ronan's coat

Vey laughed through the relay.

"She really does make you explain everything, Ronan. I can see why you rejected her. A mate who asks questions is a liability."

My nails dug into Ronan's coat.

"Keep talking," I said. "I want every word recorded."

"You think anyone will believe you?" Vey asked. "The city has already seen what your blood does to the gates. If you die here, the council will call it a brave sacrifice. If you live, they'll call you the cause of the flood. Either way, we get the harbor back."

Ronan stepped between me and the relay.

"Shut down the command line."

"No."

"That's an order."

"Your office ends tonight. The council voted an hour ago."

Ronan's mouth hardened. "Then you should've sent the notice before you tried to drown thousands of people."

"Thousands?" Vey's voice sharpened. "The flood hits the lower harbor first. The smuggler district. The old workers' blocks. We lose a few thousand, we rebuild with a clean shoreline. Briarport survives."

My stomach twisted.

"You blew the gate on purpose."

"I corrected a design flaw."

"You murdered people for a construction project?"

"Don't be dramatic, girl.