Chapter 48 · The Lie He Told the City

The gate slammed backward under my palm.

Ronan caught my waist before the reversing tide could drag me into the chamber.

"Don't touch me."

"Then stop leaning into a flood gate that's trying to kill you."

His arm locked around me. His chest hit my back, hard and hot through our soaked clothes.

Across the hearing hall, every screen flashed the same words in red:

MARA VOSS AND RONAN VALE—CONVICTED OF TREASON.

The crowd exploded.

"Strip their marks!"

"Throw them into the lower district!"

"Erase them before the next bell!"

I drove my elbow into Ronan's ribs.

He grunted. His grip didn't loosen.

"You rejected me in front of the whole city," I snapped. "You don't get to hold me now."

"I know."

That answer hit harder than his arm around me.

The tide punched through the open seams of Gate Seven. Water climbed the iron steps, cold and filthy, soaking my boots.

Behind us, the Witness coughed against Celia's shoulder. Blood streaked down his chin and smeared across the front of her coat.

Celia ripped the remains of her judge's badge from her collar and shoved it into a guard's face.

"Back up! The ruling isn't complete.