Chapter 33 · The Council Comes Hunting

"Drop the files, Lia." Calian's hand closed around my wrist before I could shove the drive into my coat. "Now."

"Get your hand off me."

"Not until you tell me what you found."

The council archive shook around us. Shelves groaned. Dust spilled from the ceiling. Somewhere beyond the sealed iron doors, boots pounded closer.

Noah shoved a cabinet against the nearest exit. "You two can flirt after we stop the council from shooting us."

"We're not flirting," Calian and I said together.

Noah gave us a flat look. "Sure. And I'm the city's favorite honest cameraman."

Calian's fingers tightened around my wrist. His palm was hot, even through my sleeve. The oath mark on my skin burned in answer, a sharp line of heat crawling toward my elbow.

I jerked against him. "The files show all three deaths were linked. The bridge collapse, the lower-district fire, and the ferry crash. The council will bury them as guardian failures if we don't get this out."

His jaw locked.

"You heard me," I said. "They'll make you the excuse.