Chapter 34 · The Red Lever

"Cassian."

He didn't answer.

That silence cut deeper than any confession.

"Why did you seal the engine room?" I demanded. "And don't give me that 'I was protecting you' garbage."

His head tipped back against the glass. Black water spilled over his mouth. He coughed, and a thin ribbon of blood drifted past his cheek.

"Because you would've gone straight for the engine."

"I was going there anyway."

"Exactly."

"You don't get to choose what I know."

"I was trying to keep you alive."

"By lying to me?"

The prison restraints rattled as he shifted. Water pushed against his shoulders, dragging at his torn shirt. His eyes stayed locked on mine.

"Mara, I didn't have time to explain."

"You had time to reject me."

The chamber froze.

Even Vey stopped smiling.

Cassian stared through the dark water. His throat worked once.

"That was different."

"Was it?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me why."

"Not here."

"Convenient."

He moved closer until only the glass separated his mouth from mine. His breath clouded the barrier between us.

"Mara. Not in front of them."

"You humiliated me in front of the entire harbor." I stepped closer, my palm hovering over the glass.