Chapter 15 · Only when we lie to each other

"Only when we lie to each other," Lia said.

"That is deeply inconvenient."

"You have no idea."

They moved through the broken archive passage with Cael in front, Sable behind him, and Lia trapped between them whenever the corridor narrowed. It was not a formation anyone chose. It was the only one the chain allowed. Every time Lia fell more than a few steps behind, the links pulled at her wrist. Every time Cael surged ahead, his shoulder wound opened again.

"Slow down," Lia said.

"Keep up."

"I am bleeding."

"So am I."

"You are six feet of cursed muscle. I am one bad step from falling over."

"You still talk too much."

"And you still haven't told me why you recognized the vault."

He stopped.

Lia nearly walked into his back. Her chest brushed his shoulder blade. Heat pushed through his coat. He looked down at her, close enough to make the next breath awkward.

"Because I was ordered to erase someone from its records," he said.

"Who?"

"I don't remember."

Sable's voice came from behind them. "That answer is getting old."

Cael's eyes went flat. "Then stop asking questions you can't survive hearing.