He doesn’t believe me, not that I blame him. I don’t entirely believe me either.
I drain the rest of the coffee and set the cup down. “Ash, bring her in.”
He nods once and disappears down the hall. Vale hums a tune under his breath, some old Spanish hymn turned obscene. Saint mutters another prayer. Wraith paces, jaw tight.
I stay still. Stillness is a weapon.
When the door opens again, the air shifts, tightening like a noose around my neck.
Ember steps inside, wearing black again. Not the same dress, but close enough to make it hurt. Her hair’s still loose, her expression carefully composed. But her eyes—they flick over each of us like she’s already measuring escape routes.
“Morning,” she says softly.
Vale grins. “Morning, Red.”
“Sit,” I tell her.
She hesitates, then obeys, sliding into the chair in the center of the room. It’s not quite an interrogation table, not quite a trap—but close enough.
Ash takes his place by the wall, tablet in hand. Wraith stands behind her, too close, every muscle coiled. Saint keeps to the far corner, watching like he’s already judging us all. Vale perches on the edge of the table, eyes bright with interest.
I stay where I am. Leader. Judge. Executioner.
“You’ve had a comfortable stay,” I say. “Good food. Warm bed. Clothes you didn’t earn. All we’ve asked for in return is honesty.”
She meets my gaze, cool and detached. “I’ve been honest.”
“You’ve been selective.”
Her chin lifts. “I don’t owe you everything.”
“No,” I agree. “But you owe me something.”
I circle the table slowly, my footsteps echoing against the marble. “You know what I think, Ember? I think you’re not just a thief or a bystander. I think you’re trained. And I think you and your brother were working for someone—someone who wants what we have.”
Her eyes flicker, just once. But it’s enough. It tells me everything I need to know about why she took the drive.
Vale notices it too. He leans in, voice soft. “That hit a nerve, didn’t it?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Let’s start simple,” I continue. “Who are you working for?”
“No one,” she answers calmly.
“Wrong answer,” I say.
Vale smiles. “Want me to loosen her tongue?”
“Touch me,” Ember snaps, “and you’ll lose your hand.”
Vale laughs, delighted. “She’sfeistytoday. I like it.”
“Vale,” I warn. He shrugs but doesn’t move away. I refrain from pinching the bridge of my nose, no matter how badly I want to.
Ash moves to my side, speaking quietly in my ear. “Caelum, let me try something else. She’s good under pressure—this won’t break her. But if I feed her misinformation, see how she reacts—”
“Do it,” I say.
