throat with his teeth. I was kept in a cage for six weeks. I was forced to cut off my own finger. I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with a guy who has been genetically modified and mentally programmed to be a predator. So all things considered, I’d say I have a fair amount of scattered pieces myself.”
Winter felt her resolve crumbling. “You came with me because it was the quickest path to death, then.”
A crease formed between Scarlet’s eyebrows. “I’m not suicidal,” she said, the sharpness returning to her tongue. “I came with you because—” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Because ever since my grandma took me in, I’ve heard people tell me she was crazy. A kooky, belligerent old woman, always good for a joke around town. They had no idea how brilliant she was. That crazy old woman risked everything she had to protect Cinder when she was a baby, and in the end, she sacrificed her own life rather than give up Cinder’s secret. She was brave and strong, and everyone else was too closeminded to see it.” She rolled her eyes, annoyed with her own frustration. “I guess I’m just hoping that despite all the absurd things you say, you might also be a little bit brilliant. That this time, you might be right.” She held up her finger. “That said, if you’re going to tell me how stupid this idea was to begin with and we should run like hell, then I’m right behind you.”
Beyond the doors, something crashed, and there was a round of boisterous laughter. Then, a howl. A chorus of a dozen other voices rose up to meet it, sounding victorious.
A muscle twitched in Winter’s jaw, but her lip had stopped trembling. She hadn’t cried. She’d been too focused on Scarlet’s words to remember to be upset. “I believe they were boys once and they can be boys again. I believe I can help them, and they will help me in return.”
Scarlet sighed, sounding a little disappointed and a little resigned, but not surprised. “And I believe you’re not as crazy as you want everyone to think you are.”
Winter’s gaze flitted toward Scarlet, surprised, but Scarlet didn’t return it. She stepped forward and placed her palm on one of the heavy doors. “So, do we knock?”
“I do not think they would hear us.” Another round of howls echoed through the cavern. Winter swiped her fingers across the screen, and the text changed.
SECURITY CLEARANCE IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED
She pressed the pads of her fingers onto the screen and it brightened, welcoming her. The doors began to open, creaking on ancient hinges. When Winter turned back, Scarlet was staring at her, aghast.
“You do realize you just alerted the queen to where you are, right?”
Winter shrugged. “By the time she finds us, either we will have an army to protect us, or we will have already become meat and marrow and bone.”
She drifted through the doors and instantly froze.
Scarlet had been right. There were about a hundred men in the 117th Regiment of Levana’s army, though men was a general term for what they’d become. Soldiers felt inadequate too. Winter had been hearing stories of her stepmother’s army for years, but they were far more beastly than she had ever imagined, with malformed bodies, fur down the sides of their faces, and snarled lips curved around enormous teeth.
This storeroom, which had begun life as housing for the first colonists, was equipped to hold many more than a hundred people. The ceiling reached three stories high and was rough with divots and stalactites where air bubbles had formed and lava had dripped eons ago. Though the cavern was ancient and impenetrable, someone long ago had had the foresight to reinforce it with interspersed stone columns. Countless alcoves and more corridors stretched in every direction, leading to additional barracks or training grounds.
Around the exterior were dingy lockers and open crates, many of which had been left wide-open and neglected. Benches and exercise equipment filled the remaining space: freestanding punching bags, chin-up bars, weights. Many of them had been shoved aside to make room for the main entertainment in the room’s center.
The howls dissolved into cheering and whooping again. Canine teeth flashed. Most of them were in some state of undress—missing shirts, bare feet, a stunning amount of hair in places that Winter wasn’t certain were natural or not.
A shudder danced over her skin. Scarlet’s words rang back to her: They will do what they’re told,
Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 1 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 2 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 3 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 4 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 5 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 6 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 7 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 8 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 9 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 10 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 11 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 12 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 13 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 14 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 15 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 16 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 17 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 18 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 19 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 20 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 21 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 22 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 23 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 24 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 25 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 26 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 27 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 28 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 29 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 30 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 31 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 32 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 33 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 34 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 35 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 36 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 37 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 38 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 39 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 40 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 41 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 42 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 43 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 44 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 45 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 46 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 47 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 48 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 49 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 50 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 51 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 52 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 53 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 54 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 55 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 56 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 57 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 58 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 59 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 60 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 61 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 62 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 63 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 64 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 65 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 66 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 67 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 68 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 69 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 70 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 71 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 72 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 73 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 74 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 75 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 76 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 77 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 78 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 79 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 80 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 81 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 82 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 83 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 84 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 85 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 86 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 87 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 88 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 89 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 90 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 91 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 92 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 93 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 94 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 95 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 96 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 97 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 98 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 99 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 100 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 101 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 102 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 103 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 104 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 105 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 106 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 107 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 108 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 109 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 110 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 111 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 112 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 113 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 114 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 115 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 116 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 117 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 118 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 119 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 120 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 121 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 122 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 123 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 124 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 125 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 126 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 127 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 128 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 129 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 130 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 131 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 132 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 133 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 134 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 135 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 136 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 137 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 138 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 139 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 140 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 141 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 142 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 143 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 144 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 145 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 146 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 147 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 148 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 149 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 150 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 151 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 152 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 153 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 154 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 155 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 156 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 157 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 158 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 159 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 160 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 161 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 162 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 163 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 164 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 165 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 166 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 167 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 168 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 169 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 170 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 171 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 172 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 173 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 174 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 175 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 176 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 177 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 178 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 179 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 180 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 181 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 182 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 183 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 184 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 185 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 186 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 187 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 188 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 189 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 190 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 191 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 192 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 193 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 194 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 195 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 196 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 197 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 198 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 199 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 200 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 201 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 202 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 203 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 204 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 205 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 206 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 207 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 208 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 209 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 210 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 211 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 212 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 213 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 214 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 215 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 216 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 217 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 218 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 219 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 220 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 221 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 222 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 223 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 224 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 225 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 226 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 227 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 228 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 229 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 230 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 231 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 232 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 233 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 234 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 235 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 236 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 237 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 238 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 239 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 240 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 241 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 242 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 243 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 244 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 245 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 246 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 247 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 248 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 249 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 250 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 251 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 252 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 253 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 254 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 255 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 256 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 257 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 258 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 259 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 260 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 261 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 262 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 263 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 264