“Think about it,” Kane continues, his voice pitched low. “If the Founding Families let people leave, they’d risk the truth spreading.” He gestures at the surrounding decay. The cramped apartments are stacked, families of six crammed into spaces meant for two, children scraping mold from the last scraps of synthetic protein cubes. “That would rather shatter the illusion of our shining beacon of progress, wouldn’t it?”
“But they can’t just—”
“They can and they do.” His eyes glint with something dangerous. “Who’s going to stop them? More importantly, who’s going to power it all if the workforce suddenly develops opinions about fair treatment? This entire city runs on that silence. And it works because no one from the high towers wants to look down.”
His gaze flicks to me and I know what he sees, the disguise and dirt smeared carefully.
“Don’t take it personally,” he says. “But I don’t see many Crown Heights princesses like yourself volunteering to bleed for basic utilities.”
The barb strikes true, and my mind drags me back to The Den, to the parties, to every moment I called myself dangerous for walking away from what was handed to me while never truly risking the comfort beneath it. He’s right. I wouldn’t last a day here.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say, voice hoarse. “With me, I mean. Through this.”
Kane raises a brow, half-smiling. “You talking about my charming company, impeccable timing, and general aura of roguish sex appeal?”
I almost roll my eyes as he glances around the corner, checking for patrols.
“Or maybe it’s that I know all the city’s ugly corners,” he adds, quieter now. “The ones you weren’t supposed to see.”
A group shuffles past, shoulders brushing, one of them passing off a bottle with a grunt and a crooked grin, another breaking into a laugh—real, cracked, human—and in that moment, they’ve still found a way to keep something alive.
It stings. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s the beauty of it, or the sense that I don’t deserve to witness it.
“They’re not just trapped here,” I breathe, the truth lodging cold and final in my chest. “They’re fuel. The city feeds on them.”
“Now you’re getting it.” Kane’s voice holds no mockery, only bone-deep weariness. “Crystal spires, automated luxuries, all thegoddamn conveniences enjoyed up there,” he gestures toward the distant shimmer of Crown Heights, “run on blood. The Founding Families just prefer it comes from someone else’s veins.”
My mind goes to my ruby, tucked safely in the lining of my pack. How often have I used it without thought? Cast spells without once considering the true cost of magic?
“The worst part?” Kane says, eyes scanning the path ahead. “Some of them still cling to hope. They convince themselves if they work hard, bleed enough, maybe their kids will earn a way out. Get a shot at those Academy halls you grew up in.”
“Do they?”
His silence is louder than any answer.
“Come on,” he mutters, tugging me away. “Checkpoint’s on the far side. That glamour won’t last forever.” He leads us into a narrower alley where the buildings press in from all sides, swallowing what little light filters through the smog above. “And for hell’s sake, stop looking like your conscience just woke up. That kind of face gets people killed down here.”
“You come here often?” I ask, trying to distract myself from the oppressive weight of our surroundings.
“Used to.” His jaw tics, that old fury creeping in. “Every week, when Harvey and I could sneak away. Brought Layla whatever we had—medicine, food, blankets. But Kian’s kept me on a shorter leash lately, and now . . .” He trails off, eyes fixed on something distant.
“Will she be okay?” I ask softly. “In the program?”
“If what they’re promising is true?” Kane shrugs, but I catch the worry in his eyes. “Sounds like a dream. But in Eclipsera, dreams usually come with a price.”
“And Harvey . . .” I hesitate, guilt crawling hot and slow through me. “Will he be safe? After this?”
Kane’s throat works as he swallows. “We were careful. Kept everything quiet—no public meetings, no messages that could be traced. Only a handful knew about us, and most of them are dead or gonenow.” His fingers drum against my arm as he steers me past a crumbling doorway. “He’s smart, knows how to play the dutiful servant when needed. Should be enough to keep him alive.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “For dragging you into this and making you leave him behind.”
“Better this than licking Kian’s boots for another decade.” Kane’s laugh holds no humor. “And once we find somewhere safe—once we figure out a next move—I’m going back for him. I’ll get him out too.”
“We?”
“Well, you’re stuck with me now, princess. Can’t exactly stroll back into Eclipsera after this little act of treason, can I?” His tone stays light, but something darker lurks beneath. “I’d be wall décor in Kian’s office before sunrise.”
“Don’t.” My fingers dig into his sleeve. “Raze died because I was foolish, because I didn’t think things through. I won’t have your death on my conscience too.”
