Chapter 34 · Undercity Broker - Chapter 34: The Last Deal

The gate didn't open all at once.

It cracked. A seam of white light split the collapsed tunnel mouth, and the wind that came through smelled like rain and exhaust fumes and everything Lin had forgotten existed. He was still on his knees, his mother's hand cold in his. The ledger lay face-down in the dust where he'd thrown it after tearing up the price slip.

The curse mark on his arm was silent.

For the first time in weeks, it didn't hum. Didn't whisper. Just sat there, black ink on scarred skin, like it was waiting.

"Lin." Su Jin's voice came from behind him, low and careful. "What did you do?"

He didn't turn around. His mother's fingers twitched in his grip, and he squeezed tighter, terrified she'd slip away again. "I told it no."

"You can't tell the curse no."

"I just did."

Footsteps. Dr. An moved into his peripheral vision, crouching beside him with her clinic bag still slung over one shoulder. Her face was pale, lips pressed thin. "Her pulse is thready. She's hypothermic. How long has she been down here?"

"I don't know." His voice cracked. "I don't know."

Dr.