Chapter 17 · Undercity Broker - Chapter 17: Mom's on the Last Train

The train car smelled like rust and old blood. Lin Mo's hand was still on Su Jin's collar, but his eyes were locked on the figure at the far end of the car.

His mother sat in the last seat, hands folded in her lap. Same floral shirt she wore the day she disappeared. Same scar on her left thumb from the kitchen knife. She wasn't looking at him.

"Lin Mo." Su Jin's voice was tight. "Don't."

He let go. Walked forward. The train wasn't moving anymore but the floor felt wrong under his feet, like the metal was breathing.

"Mom."

She turned. Her face was right. Everything was right except her eyes didn't blink and the lights overhead flickered every time she moved.

"You're finally old enough," she said.

Her voice. Exactly her voice. Lin Mo's throat locked up.

"Old enough for what?" He stopped three seats away. Close enough to see the details. Too far to grab her if she disappeared again.

"To understand what I traded." She smiled. It didn't reach her eyes. "You have the mark now. On your arm."

The Trade Curse tingled.