I did everything right. I followed the rules. Climbed the ladder. Carried the banner of justice like it meant something.
But all it took was one man to upend it all.
One impossible, violent, beautiful man with ancient eyes and a voice that makes my blood hum.
I remember the way he held me after the attack. The way his hands trembled while mine bled.
He called me his.
Not out loud. Not in words.
But in the way he looked at me.
The way heneverlooks at anyone else.
And I?—
I didn’t stop him.
Didn’t want to.
Didn’ttry.
The door hisses open behind me. I don’t look. Don’t need to.
“Agent Norrel,” I say flatly.
He steps in like he owns the place. Crisp suit. Sharp eyes. That ministry stench of self-satisfaction radiating from every pore.
“You weren’t scheduled to return until Monday,” he says, voice oily.
“I’m not here on schedule.”
“You’re not supposed to be here at all.”
I finally look up. Meet his gaze. Let the fury rise—slow, volcanic.
“You people sidelined me because you’re scared of your own shadows,” I bite. “Because I got close to a monster and saw something human looking back.”
Norrel snorts. “You got compromised.”
“I got results.”
He tilts his head, fake sympathy oozing. “And now? What are you? Prosecutor? Lover? Asset? We’re not sure anymore.”
The words hit harder than they should.
BecauseI’mnot sure anymore.
And they know it.
They always know.
He slides a sealed file across the desk.
“A transfer offer. New jurisdiction. Off-world. Less visibility. Consider it… mercy.”
Mercy.
