"That's why we're here," I said quietly.
"You know what that means," Luka said quietly. "If I give you my seal, the Judges will know I helped you. They're already watching me after the Prometheus situation. This would put a target on my back. On Vincent's back. Minos will come after him to get to me."
"I know what I'm asking, Luka. I know it's too much. But I'm out of options, Luka. Without three seals, there's no trial. No way to clear our names. Minos wins."
"And if I say no?"
"Then I don't blame you." The words hurt to say. "Vincent's safety is more important than—"
"Don't." Luka's voice cut through. "Don't finish that sentence."
Luka was quiet for a long moment.
"You're my best friend. Hell, my only friend sometimes." I sighed. "And I'm asking you to risk Vincent. That's unforgivable."
"You'd do it for me," Luka said.
"That's different."
"How?"
I looked at Rafael. "I didn't have anyone to lose. Before."
Luka's eyes went from me to Rafael and back. "You two are together now?"
"Yes," Rafael said without hesitation.
Luka reached into his jacket and pulled out a small metal case, then opened it to reveal a bronze disc, roughly the size of a silver dollar. It was covered in dried blood, russet-brown and cracked with age, filling every groove of the carved design.
"If anyone asks," Luka said, setting it on the table, "you stole this from me during our meeting. I tried to stop you, but you overpowered me."
My eyes stayed locked on the seal. "Luka—"
"Vincent and I talked about this before I came," Luka said. "We knew what you'd ask. We knew what it would cost. He said to tell you that if you get yourself killed in that labyrinth, he's going to be very annoyed."
My laugh came out broken. "That's very Vincent."
"He also said you deserve a chance at surviving this." Luka's expression softened. "So take the seal, survive the trial, and stop Constantine. Then maybe we can all stop running."
I reached for the seal, but Luka's hand covered it first.
"One more thing." Luka stood, moving around the table. "You need to make it believable."
"Make what believable?"
"That you overpowered me. That you took this by force." Luka's pale eyes were serious. "The Judges will question how you got a Director's seal. The only story that works is that you attacked me and stole it."
"No, Luka, I'm not—"
"You are. Because if they think I gave it willingly, they'll come after Vincent to punish me. But if you took it by force?" He shrugged. "Then I'm a victim. They might even feel sorry for me."
"I can't hit you."
"Yes, you can." Luka's expression didn't change. "I've seen you fight. I know what you're capable of. So do it properly. Make it look real."
Rafael's hand tightened on my shoulder. "He's right. If the cover story doesn't hold up, Vincent's in danger."
"Exactly." Luka gestured to his face. "Nose, probably. Maybe the jaw. Nothing that'll permanently damage me, but enough that I'll bruise. Enough that the medical report will support the story."
