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No doubt they also realized that an annihilation like the one they had planned for the su could very well incite full-scale war between the vampire nation and er

"No sacrifice is too great for the ulti peace," the leader of the conspirators reminded them "A true peace that can only be had with the Order out of our way"

The group answered in unanian to chant the cabal’s motto: "Pax opus nostrum"

One by one, each member joined in, until the phrase ruh the walls of his secret hideaway in their ill-gotten abode But he knew all eyes were on hi the Latin phrase that proclaiht, my brethren," said the synthesized, inhuhtmares for probably the rest of his days "And a word of advice, Director The eyes of Opus Nostru our trust again"

Benson nodded He waited until the group signed off, then he closed his co in a boneless heap onto the top of his desk "What have I done?" he ive me What have I done?"

Chapter Twenty-Four

MIRA HAD JUST TURNED ON THE SHOWER WHEN A KNOCK sounded on her bedroom door at the Order’s mansion Still dressed in the clothes she’d arrived in a few hours before, she cut the tap in the bathroom and walked out to see as there

"Nathan"

A study in black, froues, and co "I heard Tess healed your sight I’ up?"

She lifted her shoulder in a faint shrug "I’ll be better once I see Kellan again"

Nathan didn’t respond; instead he glanced down to the object he held in his hand "I wanted to return this to you sooner, but with everything else going on"

He handed her the blade she’d lost the day her whole life veered off the rails

"You found , Rafe, Eli, Jax, and I went looking for you We found the blade in Ackmeyer’s lawn I kept it for you"

"Thank you" Mira turned the weapon over in her hands, grateful to finally have it again Although her eyes took in the delicate hilt’s intricate design and lettering, herthat had occurred in the time since she’d lost the cherished blade God, it all see a friend to one runted "I wanted to kill him for all he’d done To you, to the Order, to everyone hurt by his deception"

Mira looked at her friend, the laboratory-bred assassin as forever so unreadable and remote, always the most stoic warrior She saw true hurt in hiry too His handsome face was schooled to stony neutrality, but Mira didn’t reenish blue irises "You’re angry, but you don’t hate hi to consider the question "Last night, when I found the Archer insignia at the rebel bunker and suddenly realized the truth, yes, I did hate hi before in my life I was prepared to kill him, Mira Until I saw him and realized I couldn’t hatehe was uess how you must feel He’s surely hurt you the deepest of all"

"He has," she admitted quietly "But nowhere near as badly as it will hurt if I lose hi to let that happen, Nathan If the GNC wants to take Kellan away from me, put him on trial toto get hiht"

Nathan’s ether He started to shake his head "Mira, you can’t expect - "

"I have to try," she insisted "I’ up on hio of him, even if that’s what he wants And I plan to tell Kellan the sa hi about his tone - so full of concern, so gentle - made her blood start to freeze in her veins "Mira, there won’t be time for any of that Not now"

Her heart dropped, heavy as a stone "What do youonly now that his returning her dagger was only part of the reason he’d colanced doore a low curse "Since Kellan’s fores and handling the situation privately rather than turning Kellan over to the criminal courts for a full-blown trial"

"Okay," Mira said cautiously "That’s good, right?"

Nathan merely looked at her "Because of the riots and public calls for justice, and because the peace suht, the GNC feels it needs to demonstrate decisive action to avoid potential disruptions during the gala It’s agreed to the private hearing, but the GNC will be conducting it - and deter It’s taking place at GNC headquarters today"

All her fears caered back on her heels, feeling as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs "They’re going to decide Kellan’s sentencetoday? Can’t Lucan delay it? Therein every political favor he’s got, Mira He’s been in touch with each ain with the nureed so far?"

Nathan didn’t speak for a long ht key nations, with one human and one Breed ot confirmed votes from a few, but there are still several more Council members left to persuade in order to have thea lot of pro his balls on the line for Kellan He’s doing everything he possibly can"

She wanted to feel hope She wanted to believe that everything would somehoork out and that, by some miracle, she and Kellan would coether But dread was a cold weight in the center of her chest

"I can’t talk any away from the open door and Nathan’s concerned expression "I have to go I thought there would be oes in front of the Council"

Nathan gave a slow shake of his head "There won’t be ti The Council is asse to meet hione dry "No, this can’t be happening We needher She edged farther into the bedrooaze She closed the door on hiainst it, her forehead pressed to the cool wood panel

She had to see Kellan And there was no way in hell she’d let him stand before that Council asseht for his freedo her dagger onto the bed, Mira headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower She undressed and stood before theinto the face of the woman she’d become