Chapter 24 · The Bell's Choice

"Tell them why you wrote it." The Council Head's voice cracked through every mind in the city. Above the square, the black bell shuddered hard enough to split the stone beneath Ivy's knees.

The memory still hung in the air.

Young Ivy in a white ritual coat. One hand against the first bell. Her voice clear as she ordered the thirteenth reset.

Every living person had seen it.

Every dead one Rowan had dragged out of the Council's control had seen it too.

"I didn't write that order," Ivy said.

The Council Head smiled through the projection. "You signed it."

"My hand signed it. That's not the same thing."

"Convenient."

Another bell pulse slammed through the square.

Cade grabbed Ivy's arm before it could throw her into the broken steps. His palm was hot. His grip hurt.

"Don't answer her," he said.

Ivy twisted toward him. "She's showing everyone my face."

"And you're giving her your mouth. Stop."

His voice had lost its usual bite.

That scared Ivy more than the blood on his collar. More than the black cracks crawling over his chest where the heart-lock had shattered.

The Council Head's projection vanished behind a hundred floating memory panes.