Chapter 14 · The chamber was sealed for a reason

He looked at me then. Really looked.

"The chamber was sealed for a reason."

"And you're still taking me inside?"

"You asked for the truth."

"I asked you to stop making decisions for me."

"Then decide." His hand lifted, hovering near my face without touching. "Stay here and let them take you, or come with me and find out who paid for the disasters."

The boots above us pounded closer.

I hated the choice because he had built it around fear. He knew exactly what would happen if the council took me. A public confession. A forced transfer. Maybe a body on a screen before sunrise.

Still, the decision had to be mine.

I stepped onto the first stair.

"You lead," I said. "I choose where I stop."

Calian followed, close enough that his shoulder brushed mine every few steps. The passage narrowed fast. Stone scraped my jacket. His hand stayed at my lower back, not pushing, just there in case the floor shifted.

I should have knocked it away.

Instead, I let it remain.

"Don't get comfortable," I muttered.