am so fucking thankful that I’m not yours. That’s the best news I’ve had in my entire life.”
The Overseer’s expression hardened—a true feat for a man who already had such a stony face.
“No wonder you always hated me,” I said, “and treated Mom like crap.”
“If I’d known Nathaniel wasn’t going to kill you, I’d have done it myself.”
“And lose your supplier?” I asked.
“I had enough. You saw what I’d accomplished—when you stole it.”
“Who’s my father?” I asked.
“I have no idea. Your mother wouldn’t tell me, even when I infected her with a fatal disease and held the cure over her head.”
All my systems shut down in shock. I couldn’t breathe. My vision wavered. My heart stopped beating in my chest. When everything started again, it was with a sickening rush.
“You’re a bigger bastard than I ever thought,” Shade said. “And my opinion was damn low to begin with.”
“I don’t know who you are,” the Overseer shot back, “but I never forget a face.”
“Remember mine, then. Because I’m coming for you,” Shade said.
The Overseer brushed that off. He had death threats every day, sometimes more than once. Thinking he was omnipotent helped.
“Attractive, this one,” he said, inhaling against the top of Miko’s head. “Seems docile enough. I could probably grow you a new hand, my dear, and maybe it’s time I shopped for another rebel wife.”
Shopping was exactly what he’d done with Mom. Seen. Wanted. Bought—her price being the end of the annihilation of the Outer Zones. He must have loved her in his way, since he’d been willing to bargain. I didn’t think she’d ever loved him, but maybe she’d acted out her role convincingly for the good of millions, and especially her home Sector. In any case, she’d kept her word and gone with him, and he’d kept his. He’d finally offered terms to Sectors 17 and 18 instead of sending more explosives. Almost like a bridal gift, their wedding day had been the end of the war.
It would almost have been a romantic tale, if he hadn’t been such a narrow-minded tyrant.
I knew the Overseer didn’t want a new wife or care what Miko looked like. He wanted to control me and knew that taking Miko meant leverage.
“You don’t want her.” I took another step back, moving Shade with me and trying to keep the Overseer from even looking at Fiona and Jax again. “Take me instead.”
“Yes, you’re coming, too, Quintessa.” He started pushing Miko forward, plowing Shiori along in front. “I’m sure I’ll find uses for you both.”
Miko’s eyes flared with panic. She’d already been used for sex, and that was what he was implying. But he thought she was docile, which she wasn’t—not when trapped.
My heart lurched as I read the transition on her face. Fear eclipsed by wrath. Caution replaced by No!
She started fighting. It was wild and powerful and lasted about four seconds before he shot her in the head.
I gasped. Shiori screamed. Miko dropped. Dead.
“Miko!” I lunged forward, but Shade jerked me back. My back slammed into his chest, and he held me there, his grip too tight for me to break.
My heart pounded in broken beats as I struggled a hand between our bodies and drew my gun. I pointed the quaking barrel at the man who had taken so much from so many. So much from me.
He grabbed Shiori as his new shield, and I couldn’t shoot.
“Drop it,” he said.
“No.” I cocked my weapon, and the action steadied my hand.
“Then all three of us walk,” the Overseer announced.
He moved to the right, and Shade and I moved left, leaving him room to exit. He backed off the bridge, dragging a comatose-looking Shiori with him. She wasn’t crying. She didn’t say anything. She looked dead. Upright, but dead, and my heart shattered even more at the sight.
For every step the Overseer backed up, watching me, his gun to Shiori’s head, I took a step forward, Shade at my back. Vaguely, I realized how hard I was breathing. But panting was the only thing keeping me from totally losing it, so I just kept wheezing, my breath like a hurricane in my throat.
I glanced back only once, drinking in my last sight of Jax and Fiona. “Stay with Fiona,” I told him. She was somehow still conscious, but that was Fiona—tough as nails. “When I’m gone, call Surral.”
“Don’t go with that man!” Jax pleaded.
“Goodbye, partner.” This was the end of everything. I wished the Widow had taken us. Then we’d have all gone