Chapter 16 · The Dead Heir Comes Home

"Drop the knife, Lyra, or the court takes your brother's remaining hours." The registrar's guard pressed a silver blade against her throat before she could reach the seal on the floor.

Lyra froze with one boot inside the black circle. Caelan stood behind her, one hand clamped over his ribs, blood running between his fingers. Three court hunters had him boxed against the iron doors.

Mira Quill was on her knees beside the ruined archive gate. Her gray archivist coat had been torn open, and the gold rank clasp at her collar flashed under the court lamps.

"You brought them here," Lyra said.

Mira lifted her head. "I brought you the truth. They followed me."

"That's what traitors say."

The guard pushed the blade harder. A thin line of heat opened beneath Lyra's jaw.

"Enough," Chief Registrar Vale snapped from the judgment platform. "Lyra Voss, by order of the Contract Court, you are under arrest for identity fraud, warrant interference, and the unlawful protection of a condemned heir."

Caelan's laugh came out rough. "Condemned heir? Pick one accusation and try to sound convincing."

One of the hunters drove a fist into his stomach.