I stop and spin to face him. “What? What could you possibly have to say to me?”

The others exchange nervous glances and back off a little to give us space.

Bram swallows. “I didn’t know who Latham was when he asked me to help him. If I’d had any idea he would use that knowledge to hurt you. To hurt anyone …” He rakes a hand through his hair. “I never should have trusted him. But I was flattered that one of the Masters thought I was gifted. Once I realized what he’d done, I was horrified. I’ve been tortured about this for months. I tried to tell you, but you asked me not to. I should have told you anyway.”

Confusion washes over me. He never tried to tell me about this—but then I remember. That day on the grounds outside Ivory Hall when I thought, for just a moment, he might kiss me.

Saskia, I need to tell you something.

Is it going to break my heart?

I’m afraid it might.

“I thought you were going to tell me you still found the idea of being with me amusing.”

He shakes his head. “I stopped finding it amusing a long time ago. And I can’t let you go into Latham’s shop without telling you how I feel.”

My pulse speeds. “So tell me. How do you feel?” My heart feels like an open wound—raw and vulnerable to more damage.

“I don’t want to lose you. Not ever again.”

But he could be lying. Declan lied too. He pretended to love me at Latham’s instruction. And then, in the end, he led me right into a trap.

My eyes fall to Bram’s wrist. It’s still bare.

“You don’t have a tattoo.”

He groans. Tunnels his fingers through his hair. “You can be so infuriating sometimes. I’ve done nothing but try to help you take down Latham. I’ve been by your side. I’ve kept your secrets. So if I’d done all those same things with a red line around my wrist, that would have made me more trustworthy?”

“You helped Latham destroy my family.”

“Before I knew what he was doing!” Bram’s eyes blaze, and I look away, stung.

He puts a single index finger under my chin and gently lifts my face. His gaze finds mine and I feel like I’m drowning.

“Please forgive me. I made the wrong choice and trusted the wrong person. I won’t do it again.”