y's

uld still hear the echo of Detective Cain's voice, his revelation replaying in my mind

of his jaw betraying no emotion. The gun in his hand gleamed unde

," I said, my voice

ok at me. "This

don't get to decide that. Not anymore. You dragged me into

e. "You think you're ready for the truth, Lily?

l flickered, a sharp static sound filling the room.

e crackled throu

smooth and venomous. "And the infam

pped. "Who the

is grip on the gun tigh

nued, amusement laced in its tone. "Letting he

wn my spine. "What do t

said, his voice low. "And t

s cadence. "Did you tell her, Elliot? Did you t

t are they ta

didn't

lio

is eyes scanning the mon

ked, panic creep

ash. The door to the panic room groaned under the

d us," Elliot

?" I asked, my

lling me toward a hidden pa

anel slid open, revealing a na

he o

The figures outside the door were multiplying

ed, snapping me out

rs, the sound of his f

el, the air damp and cold. I could hear the e

sked, struggling to keep up

he said

ot very r

pond, his foc

blind gamble. My legs burned, my lungs scream

sound of purs

gaining,"

from his jacket. A small device

is t

he said, pres

I stumbled, nearly falling. When I turned,

red. "A little w

answer, alread

night air hitting me like a slap. I leaned

?" I asked, m

ey, his gun still in h

alt at the end of the alley. The doors fle

t said, grab

s, the sound of heavy boots and

eing hunted, every sha

d clamped over my mouth, pu

grip was ironclad. A

ting, Lily

"Detect

the dim light. His face was pa

u doing here

he said. "And tell

ut w

nodding toward the dir

abou

. "He's not who you think he is. He

t me like a

," I said, my

s he ever told you the full story? Or has he j

deny it, but doubt w

I trust yo

" he said, pulling a f

a gunshot rang out, and

o see Elliot standing at the edge

voice calm but firm.

ood pooling beneath him,

you do?" I

ad to," E

time, I wasn't sur