Chapter 36 · Rowan Pike

Sable's smile disappeared. "Rowan Pike."

Cael's grip tightened.

"You're lying," Lia said.

"I lie for a living. You should be proud you noticed."

"Why would Rowan tell you about the auction?"

"He didn't. He told me where to find you. The auction broker told me the rest."

"And you believed him?"

"I believed the gold he put on the table."

Cael released her with a shove. Sable caught herself before she hit the floor.

"You sold our location," Lia said.

"I sold a location. You changed it by destroying an entire legal chamber."

"The guards were already there."

"And now they're searching every exit. My people are burning safe routes to keep you alive. So yes, I made a deal. No, I don't feel guilty."

Lia stepped toward her. "If this is a trap—"

"It is a memory auction. Of course it's a trap. The question is whether the trap catches us or the people who set it."

Cael wiped a smear of blood from his knuckles. "Where's the car?"

"Three levels down."

"And the auction?"

"Old theater under the river district. We have twenty-six minutes."

Lia glanced at the silver writing on her arm.