Chapter 29 · The Crown Drops In

"Keep the channel open," I told Dorian. "If you let them cut this feed, I swear I'll haunt you before I'm dead."

His hand closed over mine around the master key. His palm was hot. Mine was slick with blood from the broken relay panel, and the metal teeth of the key bit into both our skin.

"You think haunting me is the part I'm worried about?" he asked.

"No. You're worried I'll prove you chose the wrong side."

His jaw tightened. "I chose you. Don't make me regret saying that where the whole city can hear."

The broadcast tower shook under our boots.

Below us, the city feed screamed with static. Every public speaker, tribunal screen, and emergency receiver in Northbreak carried the same broken burst of sound. Calder Vane's stolen memory had made it through once. Only one line, but one line was enough to crack the crown's story open.

I shoved the master key into the relay lock.

"Come on," I whispered. "Come on, you rotten piece of—"

"Mara." Dorian caught my wrist. "Look at me."

I did.

His face was too close. Dust streaked one cheek.