Chapter 78 · The Voss Heir

"I signed your commission. I kept you out of prison. I gave you command of the lockdown. Every badge you wear came from my hand."

Lucas reached inside his coat.

For one hard second, I thought he was going for his weapon.

Instead, he pulled out a small metal pin.

Dark silver. The Vale crest stamped across the face. A thin blue line cut through its center.

Behind the glass, his father went rigid.

"Lucas," he warned.

Lucas held the pin out to me.

"Take it."

I didn't move. "What is it?"

"My last clearance. It opens the core and overrides the shield's blood lock."

"Why would you give that to me?"

"Because the tower only answers to a Voss heir now."

My laugh came out sharp. "You told me I wasn't a key."

"You aren't."

"Then what the hell am I?"

His throat worked.

He stepped closer. The pin hovered between us, his knuckles brushing my stomach through my shirt.

Heat spread through the spot.

"The person I should've protected twelve years ago."

My breath caught.

His father slammed a hand against the glass.