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SEVENTEEN

"Killpast whatI expect to taste blood--no, I expect nothing at all I expect to be dead

But as my senses return, I realize I a I ah I certainly don’t feel it With a burst of willpower, I force open my eyes But instead of Maven or his executioners, I’ive me a chance to catchme into his chest, back into darkness I can’t help but flinch at the contact, re inso soothing about the way he speaks, his voice deep and shuddering And he refuses to let o, even when I involuntarily shrink away He knohat my heart wants, even if ht You’re back"

For a ers into the folds of his old shirt I focus on hi "Back?" I whisper "Back where?"

"Let her breathe, Kilorn"

Another hand, so warhtly, the pressure careful and controlled, enough for ht to the real world I lean back slowly, away fro up to

We’re underground, judging by the damp, earthy smell, but this isn’t another one of Farley’s tunnels We’re far out of Harbor Bay, if le pulse,we ht into the ground, can Red-made, no doubt, probably used by the Scarlet Guard, and everything looks faintly pinkish The walls and floor are packed dirt, and the slanting roof is sod, reinforced by rusted metal poles There’s no decoration; in fact, there’s barely anything in here at all A few sleeper sacks, my own included, ration packs, a switched-off lantern, and a few crates of supplies from the airjet are all I can see My Stilts ho I sigh in relief, happy to be out of danger and away fro pain

Kilorn and Cal letard orry, transformed into old men in the span of a few hours I can’t help but stare at their dark-circled eyes and deep froondering ounded the in froone cold Night is co The day is over And we have lost Wolliver Galt is dead, a newblood to Maven’s slaughter Ada too, for all I know I failed the to stand But they both reach out to stopentle, as if one touch ht break me apart

Kilorn knows me best, and is the first to notehis head, allowing the prince to explain

"We couldn’t fly long with you in thestate you were in," he says, averting his eyes from my face "Got a few dozen htbulb, dahts, and then set out on foot, hide in the woods until you were better"

"Sorry" is all I can think to say, but he waves it off

"You opened your eyes, Mare That’s all that matters to me," Cal says

A wave of exhaustion threatens to takeit But then Cal’s touchto stare at hi eyes But he focuses on ed, branching lines ondown my spine I’rowls His glare wouldthe peculiarity Ragged streaks, big ones winding down the back of my neck "I don’t knohat it is"