Chapter 48 · The Seal's Choice

"Get away from her, Commander. Drop the seal and put your hands where I can see them."

Three floodgate guards aimed tide rifles at Cassian's chest.

Two more had me pinned against the control rail. One wrenched my arm behind my back until fire ripped from my shoulder to my fingertips.

Cassian didn't move.

The black command seal hung from his blood-slick fingers. A cut split his palm, and red ran down his wrist. He kept his eyes on me, not the rifles aimed at his heart.

"Mara," he said, so quietly only I could hear him. "Tell them I brought you here under arrest."

I stared at him. "You want me to help you lie? Now?"

"I want you alive long enough to hate me properly."

The guard behind me shoved my arm higher.

My knees dipped.

"Commander Rook," the captain called, "the council order says the prisoner gets secured and the gate gets sealed. You're standing between us and both orders."

"Your order is forged."

"Your seal is on it."

Cassian lifted the black seal. Blood slid over his knuckles. "This seal was stolen three hours ago.