Chapter 34 · There. The archive connects to the old courier route

He pointed toward the service tunnel. "There. The archive connects to the old courier route."

Noah laughed once. "You mean the route sealed after the last guardian massacre?"

"Yes."

"Great. Love that for us."

I pulled the drive from my coat and shoved it into Noah's hand. "You know how to crack the archive locks. Get the files copied before we leave."

Calian caught the drive before Noah could pocket it. "No."

I stepped into his space. "Give it back."

"The council wants you alive long enough to question you. They want him dead. If he carries the files, he becomes the target."

"He already is the target."

"Lia."

"You don't get to decide who risks what. Not after they put a blade at your throat and called it an oath."

His nostrils flared. "You think this is a game?"

"I think you are scared."

That stopped him.

I reached for the drive. He lifted it out of reach.

"Give it to me," I said.

"Say you won't run."

"I won't run."

"Say you won't sacrifice yourself to protect Noah."