Chapter 57 · The Final Vessel

"You signed the report." Oscar's voice cut through the machinery's shriek. "You knew exactly what you were doing."

Mara stood across the chamber, pale fingers crushed around the document. She looked younger than I remembered. Smaller. Like the room had swallowed her whole.

"I didn't know what he was doing," she whispered.

"You knew enough to sign."

Oscar lifted a vial of silver liquid. It caught the red light spilling from the gate.

"Her mistake gave us the first opening," he said. "Her family buried the evidence. Her partner signed the report. By the time anyone asked questions, the city would beg for a stronger hand."

My stomach twisted.

"You made the disasters," I said.

Oscar turned toward me. "I gave the city what it needed. Fear. Panic. A reason to obey."

The machinery screamed louder.

Then the door blew open.

My mother stepped inside with a blade in her hand.

"Get away from that gate," she said.

Oscar smiled. "You came back."

"I came for my daughter."

"Your daughter is the key.