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The words come out hard and harsh, a rusty blade to saw flesh They taste wonderful in my mouth "Not if I kill her first"

For all his talents, Cal is not a violent person He can kill you in a thousand different ways, lead an are, but he will not enjoy it So his next words takeat rown dark indeed

When we eh one? What if ere tracked? What if, what if, what if But the airjet is exactly where we left it It’s nearly invisible in the darkness, blending into the gray-black runway I resist the urge to sprint into its safety, and force h No distractions

"Keep your eyes open," Calas we approach He doesn’t take his eyes off the jet, watching for any indication of a trap

I do the saainst the runway, open to the night air It looks clear to ather in the belly of the Blackrun, pitch-dark and ireat ay and focus to power on the entire jet, but the lightbulbs within are another story Even fro, spark up their charges, and illulow Nothing moves inside, but the others react, surprised by the burst of light Farley even frees her pistol fro

"It’s just me," I tell her with a wave of my hand "The jet’s empty"

My pace quickens I’e of electricity that strengthens withup into the craft, it feels like entering a war the outline of aout fro electrical pathways into the massive cell batteries beneathThey hu on what I haven’t The Blackrun coasps behind me, in awe of the massive, metal jet He’s probably never seen one this close, let alone stepped inside one I turn around, expecting to find hi at the seats or the cockpit, but his eyes are firmly fixed on me He flushes and ducks his head in what could be a shaky bow Before I can tell him exactly howover the safety belts

"Do I get a hel through the air, I want a hel, Kilorn takes a seat next to Nix and buckles theers "Nix, I think you’re the only one here who doesn’t need one"

They chuckle together, sharing crooked smiles If not for me, for the Scarlet Guard, Kilorn would’ve probably turned out just like Nix A battered old ets the chance to grow old, to have aching knees and a gray beard of his own If only Kilorn would lethimself in front of every bullet that coirl And this one’s a" He gestures across the jet, to Shade, searching for a word to describe his ability

"Jumper," Shade offers with a respectful nod He fastens his belts as tightly as he can, already paling at the prospect of another flight Farley doesn’t look so affected, and resolutely stares from her seat, eyes on the s of the cockpit

"Jues Kilorn with his elbow, blind to the boy’s fading smile "What can you do?"

I sink into the cockpit seat, not wanting to see any pain in Kilorn’s face But I’liid shoulders, his narrowing eyes and piercing scowl The reason is shockingly clear Jealousy twists through every inch of hi as quickly as an infection The intensity of it surprises me Not once did I ever think Kilorn wanted to be like me, like a Silver He’s proud of his blood, he always has been He even raged at me, back when he first sahat I had becorowled, his voice harsh and unfary now?