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"Excuseundone," she says

Natalie’s dad excuses her and she leaves

I turn my attention back to the ," General Buchanan says "You and Natalie are going to stay here"

Natalie’s mouth drops open "You can’t be serious"

"I’m deadly serious," he says "There’s no reason for you to come We have it under control We’ll come back for you once the Coer boils up in me I shoot a look at Roach, who frowns back at et this straight The Sentry rebels are going to take down Purian Rose and put this Couy in power instead?" I say "And where does that leave the Darklings when the dust settles? What plans do you have for us in your new regiood care of, Ash, you have my word," General Buchanan says

"Will we have a voice in the new Sentry government?" I say

Natalie’s ur has been invited to join the council"

"And what about the Bastets and Lupines?" Acelot asks

This piques Garrick’s and Sasha’s interest I’m sure the Lupines are keen to knohere they stand in the new Sentry regime

"We expect a place on the council," Garrick says "We’ve risked a lot to support you, Emissary"

Roach snorts "The Lupines are collaborators Why should they be rewarded?"

"We don’t all blindly follow Rose," Sasha snaps "Many of us believe what he’s doing is wrong We’ve put our lives on the line to help the rebellion We deserve a voice too"

"Everyone will be represented," Emissary Buchanan interjects

"But the Sentry will re the shots?"

She narrows her cool blue eyes atout of the room Natalie chases afterpoint of any of this? I’ve spentto unify the species, and to to swoop in and" I grind ether

"What? Steal your thunder?" Natalie says

I glare at her "No God, you know I don’t give a crap about that I never asked to be Phoenix; I’ some hero"

"I know you’re not Sorry," she says "Then what’s bothering you? This is anted--to bring Rose down I’et to do it, but really, does it s?"

"Yes, it does!" I say "I didn’t want to replace one Sentry governet better after to ‘Commander’ person is He could be worse than Purian Rose!"

Natalie’s htly "I trust s continue on as they are"

"But will it be enough? Will it be e’ve been fighting for?" I take her hand and gently rubsparkles in the fluorescent light "I don’t want it to be illegal for us to be together I want to be able to marry you one day," I say quietly "I want our kids to be able to get into the Fast Track programs, to have jobs, to be accepted I want them to have all the opportunities I never did But in my heart, I don’t believe that will ever happen if the Sentry reur will have a say in what happens," Natalie replies

"Sigur is just a token, don’t you see that?" I say, getting frustrated "You heard your ht in as a spokess, so when he tells theime, they will But it won’t be any different fro will ever change Your parents are bullshitting you, Natalie"

She snatches her hand away, her cheeks flushing "That’s not true I think you’re letting your feelings about the Sentry color your opinion of my parents"

"No, I think the fact that your dad worked in the Barren Lands camp and that your mom tried to frame me for Chris Thompson’s death ‘colored my opinion’ of them," I retort "Oh, and not to ivethe tiniest bit suspicious about their motives"

Natalie blinks and tears darken her lashes

I rake a hand through my hair "I’m sorry That was out of order," Iher head "Nono, you’re totally right I’these questions hard enough with them, and I should have been I’ainstto be interesting e get hs

We head into the hospital in search of Dr Craven Martha is propped up in bed Her graying hair is loose around her bony shoulders and her wrinkled skin is ghostly white, but there’s a youthful sparkle in her lilac eyes She gives ht of her s relass of Synth-O-Blood, splashing it over her nightgown Natalie rushes over to her and perches on the edge of Martha’s bed, then holds the glass up to the woman’s withered lips

"Thank you, dear," Martha says

Natalie gives her a loving s about the near-empty ward I’ht she was coet her stitches redone Huh She one