— CASSIAN |
The body was in the incinerator by dawn.
Cleaned. Processed. Erased.
Like he'd never existed.
Marcus—the advisor who'd suggested "handling" Mara—had made a mistake.
He'd underestimated how far I'd go.
Fatal mistake.
Literally.
I washed his blood from my hands. Watched the water run red then clear.
Felt nothing.
That should've bothered me.
It didn't.
Nic found me in my office an hour later.
"We have a problem," he said.
"Another one?"
"Your mother is calling for a formal council meeting. Tomorrow. She's going to move against you."
"Let her try."
"Cass. This is serious. If she gets enough votes—"
"She won't."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I'll remind them what happens to people who go against me."
Nic stared at me. "You killed Marcus."
"He threatened Mara
