Chapter 16 · It will take the memory

He gripped the edge of the table until the wood creaked. "It will take the memory."

"Which one?"

"The one you have left."

Sable's face changed. "Lia, don't open it."

"You told me to use you to get the proof."

"Not at that price."

"You don't get to set my price. You spent that right when you sold me."

Lia pressed her palm to the ledger.

Cael caught her hand.

His fingers wrapped around hers, hot and rough. The contact stopped her breath. He stood over her, wounded, furious, and too close. His thumb dragged once across her knuckles before he seemed to realize what he was doing.

"Look at me," he said.

"I'm looking."

"If you open this, I may not be able to pull you back."

"From a memory?"

"From whatever they made you forget."

"You pulled me back in the archive."

"You pulled me back."

"Then let me do it again."

His eyes held hers. "You keep saving me like you have a right to."

"Maybe I do."

The words stopped him.

Lia pulled her hand free and pressed down.

The ledger opened with a crack.

The vault vanished.

A younger Cael was on his knees.