Chapter 30 · Lower them

"I know what happens if I don't ask. They bury the recording, bury my evidence, and call you a murderer until no one remembers my sister had a name."

"Lia—"

"Move."

For one second, he looked like he might refuse.

Then the oath mark on both our wrists flared.

He sucked in a breath and let go of me.

I crossed the floor before he could stop me.

The council guards raised their weapons. Calian drew his blade, placing himself between their points and my back.

"Lower them," he ordered.

"You no longer have authority," Sevryn said.

Calian didn't look away from the guards. "Try me."

The first guard lunged.

Calian caught the weapon with one hand and drove his elbow into the man's throat. The second swung wide. Calian turned, but the oath mark flashed again. His knees buckled.

I stopped. "Calian?"

"Keep going!"

"You're hurt."

"That's not new. Go!"

The guard slammed a shock rod into his ribs.

Calian's body jerked. The same pain tore through my side.