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Marcel slances down at the bloodstain on his top "This was my favorite shirt too"

He shudders, and lets out a s hiuished wail escapes Acelot’s lips as he hugs his brother to hi, and I feel like a voyeur, watching his suffering I give his shoulder a gentle squeeze, then get up and head outside

I find a spot by the canal and kneel doashing my hands in the chilly water Ribbons of blood lift off my skin and dance about the surface of the deep blue water The color re pain balls up in ed breath, but it barely fills o on without her If it was Garrick’s intention to tor I’m broken Ready to surrender I sink my head into my hands

Where are you, Natalie?

12

NATALIE

"SO HOW EXACTLY are we going to steal one of those?" Day says

We’re in the aircraft hangar in the Sentry rebel base, where a fleet of Transporters are parked Several of the Transporters shoot out of the tunnel, sending squads of Sentry rebels on to their next mission, while dozens of soldiers unload crates of weapons fro the for his help to rescue Ash but then quickly decided against it He’d have to get permission from the Commander, and he’s already made his position crystal clear on this particular subject--he doesn’t want anyAsh--and I don’t have tiet to Gray Wolf before Ash leaves

"More to the point, who’s going to fly it?" Day says "Does anyone kno to pilot those things?"

"Garrick does, but he won’t help us," I say "He spent weeks trying to getto let me swan off to Gray Wolf, especially since the place is swaruards My gests

Beetle shakes his head "No good, bro She doesn’t kno to fly thes to ers "Destiny!"

• • •

We find her in co into the couess the others are still with Sigur On the digital screen behind her is a iltstone buildings and the domed roof of the Golden Citadel, where Purian Rose lives On the hted in bright green, including the citadel

"Are you planning an attack on Centrum?" Day exclaims as we enter the roouys scaredat oing to be an attack on Centrum?" I ask

"You know I can’t tell you that," Destiny says, dra her head

I sestures instead of words, so it’s not going against her orders So that’s why they’re bringing in all those supplies downstairs; they’re preparing for an assault on the capital city? It’s upsetting that Father didn’t ain ould he? I’irl"

"When’s it going to take place?" Beetle asks

"I’ers Five days’ time Wow, all of this could be over in less than a week It’s thrilling and terrifying all at once, knowing the final battle is soon to take place She looks at , hon?"

"I have a teeny favor to ask," I say

She narrows her brown eyes, flicking a look betweenI won’t like this?"

"We need a ride to Gray Wolf," I say "Ash is there and I’ to rescue him"

"You know I can’t, hon," Destiny says "We have--"

"Orders, I know But here’s the thing: I don’t take orders from people I don’t know," I say "Do you knoho the Co her head "My aunt wouldn’t tell me"

"And yet we’re expected to just blindly follow him?" I say "I know it’s a lot to ask, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to, Des Please help us"

"I don’t know," she says

"If Ash gets caught or dies, just think howa different tactic "I know the Coically i" Beetle and Day nod "You said earlier the new Sentry regiine what the Darklings will think--"

"Or Humans for Unity," Beetle adds

"--if they learn that the Sentry rebels refused to help Phoenix," I say "Plus, we think Ash has a lead on the Ora, and I know you agree we should be looking for it"

This seems to pique her interest Destiny nods "Okay"

"You’ll take us?" I say, grinning

"It’s whatto Emissary Vincent "She wasn’t afraid to break the rules if she believed it was the right thing to do And personally, I’d sleep better at night knowing Phoenix was here, safe and sound"

I fling"Thank you!"

Destiny chuckles "Don’t thank et out of here first"