I can to make sure he’s safe. I promise.”
Her shoulders slump as though a weight has been lifted from them. “Thank you. And be careful. As for Joan, with her gift, she’s going to be tricky to deal with. I’ve asked two of our gifted captains to take care of her.” She takes a shaky breath. “If any of us fail, we’ll have to cover for whoever’s fallen.”
A heavy silence follows her words. Her meaning is clear. If any of us die, we’ll have to try to kill that person’s target as well as our own—with the knowledge that they killed one of our teammates.
“We’ve made it through a lot together,” I say. “In worse situations than this, with much lower numbers on our side. We’ll make it through this, too.”
“We’ll do more than make it through,” Lai says. “We’re going to win.” Her eyes flash as she thrusts her hand forward.
Al slowly grins as she throws her own hand on top, then me, then Erik. I don’t know who initiates it, but we’re suddenly crushed together in a group hug, all of us hanging tightly onto one another.
“Just you watch,” Al says. “All of us together? Nothing can beat us.”
“Well, that’s a given,” Erik says with a half-laugh.
An extended period of time passes before Lai draws back first. I follow her gaze to see one of the scouts standing just off to the side.
His hands are shaking. “They’re almost here.”
33
LAI
WHEN THE REBELS reach Sector Eight, a mass of Order members and soldiers borrowed from the military stand between them and the domed city. They came out in full force—this must be most of their members. Some of the rebels still show signs of injuries from our last fight. They’re all so young. Too young.
Ellis stands at their head. When only several dozen yards separate us, she waves her hand for everyone to hold. With her eyes on me, she keeps marching forward.
I feel surprisingly calm as I walk out to meet her. I’d thought my heart would be about to explode. I’d thought I wouldn’t be able to look at Ellis without seeing Sara and feeling sick. Just like the last times we met. But now when I look at her, I don’t see the girl who taught me to fight. I don’t feel any of the warmth I used to when I’d catch sight of her. Despite how I try to search for it, I can’t find any of the kindness I remember from our days together. This isn’t the Sara I love. Not anymore. And it’s about time I stop thinking of this person as her.
We both halt when there are only a few strides separating us. I still can’t read her thoughts. I can’t read the thoughts of anyone immediately behind her, either, which means Gabriel must be here somewhere. I vaguely wonder how he’s changed over the years. Has he become cold and cruel like Ellis? Secretive and manipulative like me? Somehow, I can’t imagine that.
“We’re asking you to stop here.” My voice carries to both armies in the dead air. There’s no wind, nothing to help abate the oppressive heat. It must be unbearable for the ungifted who have to wear the Outside armor. But they still came to fight with us.
“I’m afraid I have to decline,” Ellis says. Her expression is inscrutable. “We’ve come too far to stop now. We will have victory today.”
“Victory doesn’t come only when you’ve killed all your enemies. There are protests against the Councilors’ experiments throughout the sector—just as I’m sure you knew there would be. People are speaking up for us. They’re outraged for us.”
“And you think that will last?” Ellis spits on the ground. “They didn’t hesitate to stab us in the back before, but now that they’ve been handed someone different to hate, suddenly they’re our allies? Ridiculous. They’re just reveling in their temporary feelings of self-righteousness.”
“And if they’re not?” I ask. “If they really want to help the gifted? You’re not even going to give them a chance?”
“There’s no need. An Etiole is an Etiole through and through.”
“You’re such a hypocrite,” I say, finally unable to hold back the outburst. Surprise colors Ellis’s expression. “What gives you the right to stand there and judge an entire sector of people? You’re no better than the people who abuse Nytes. It’d be one thing if you said you wanted to bring people to justice for what they’ve done, but you just want to indiscriminately kill everyone—even