Chapter 6 · The Hearing Chamber

"Say it," I told Lucas. "Tell them who I am before they decide for you."

His gun stayed in his hand, but the barrel dipped toward the floor. Behind him, the dead archive screens flashed red warning symbols.

Mara's voice crackled through the speakers.

"If you've found Evelyn, you've found the real Voss heir—"

Static tore through the rest.

Lucas stared at me like I'd just put a knife to his throat. Blood ran from the cut at his temple and tracked down his cheek.

"You knew," he said.

"I knew what Mara called me. I didn't know if she was right."

"Don't lie to me."

"Then stop asking questions you don't want answered."

His hand shot out and closed around my wrist before I could step back.

The protection contract flared beneath my skin. Heat raced up my arm. His fingers sent a sharp pulse through my bones.

Lucas looked down at our hands.

Then at me.

"The contract's reacting."

"Congratulations. You can read your own work."

"You can't walk into Command like this."

"You brought me here."

"I brought you here to keep you alive."

"No." I leaned closer, even with his grip locked around me.