Chapter 14 · Sable Keeps the Bad Memories

"Tell me where you hid the ledger, or I break your hand." Cael had Sable pinned against a cracked archive door, one forearm across her throat and silver blood soaking through his sleeve.

Sable smiled like she had not just escaped a death trap. "Still charming, Rook. Did the eclipse make you worse, or were you always this unpleasant?"

His grip tightened.

"Cael." Lia caught his wrist. His skin burned under her fingers. Too hot. His pulse jumped hard against her palm. "Move your arm."

His eyes cut to hers. The gold in them had spread wider since the hidden contract showed her that knife, that kneeling younger version of him, and the command waiting beneath the memory.

Next eclipse. Her hand. His heart.

"She sold us out," Cael said.

"I know. I was there."

"Then let go."

"No."

For half a second, his face came close enough that Lia felt his breath against her cheek. He smelled like iron, smoke, and the sharp clean scent of the warding salt burned into his coat. His fingers flexed against Sable's throat.

Lia pushed harder on his wrist.