Chapter 27 · The Trial Hall

"Cut the city feed now, Calian, or I swear I'll do it myself."

His hand closed around my wrist before I could reach the control lever.

"You don't know what cutting it will do."

"I know what leaving it on will do. They'll bury the records, bury my sister again, and call me unstable on every screen in Esterport. Move."

The old power station shook under our feet. Red warning lights flashed across the walls. On the main monitor, the council broadcast kept repeating my face beside the words PUBLIC MENACE.

Calian stood between me and the console, broad shoulders blocking the controls. His black coat was torn at the side, and blood had dried along his collar. Too close. Close enough that I felt the heat of him through my shirt.

"Lia. Look at me."

"I'm looking at the man stopping me from telling the truth."

His fingers tightened once. Not enough to hurt. More than enough to remind me that he could.

"The city grid is tied to the guardian wards," he said.