Chapter 12 · The Family Seal

The archive yanked so hard my knees slammed into the brass doors.

“No!”

A memory flashed behind my eyes. My father’s ink-stained thumb. The cut across his knuckle. The old blue mug beside his instruments. His wedding band tapping against the table as he called me stubborn.

Then came the last time he kissed my forehead.

The archive pulled again.

Kane released one door and caught me around the waist. His body hit my back, hard and hot, keeping me upright as fire surged toward us.

“Let go!”

“Not a chance.”

“It’s taking him!”

“I know.”

“You don’t know anything!”

“I know your pulse just jumped. I know you’re about to drop. And I know if you fight the lock, it’ll take more than one memory.”

His mouth hovered near my ear. Every word brushed my neck with hot breath. My hands shook against the brass.

“Then help me,” I said.

“Tell me what it wants.”

“A memory.”

“Give it one that won’t break you.”

“You don’t get to decide what breaks me.”

“No. But I can keep you standing while you decide.”

The lock pulled again.

My father’s voice changed.

The warmth drained out of it.