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The barracks is as I reet lost once or twice, but finally I find the door with the purple scarf tied to the doorknob It’s firmly shut, and I have to knock

Bree opens the door His face is red froht then and there "Took you long enough," he growls, stepping back so I can enter I flinch at his harsh tone, but don’t retaliate Instead, I put a hand on his ares, but doesn’t pull away

"I’m sorry," I tell him And then, louder, to the rest of the room, "I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner"

Gisa and Tramy sit on mismatched chairs Mom curls up on one of the beds, with Dad and his chair fir her face in a pillow, he looks straight at s to do," Dad says Gruff as always, butthan he’s ever been I deserve it "We understand"

"I should’ve been here" I move farther into the rooht his body back"

"We’ve seen it," Bree snaps, taking a seat on the bunk opposite Moht "One little blast of a needle, and he’s gone"

"I remember," I murmur before I can stop s drawn up beneath herself She flexes her bad hand, distracting herself "Do you knoho killed hinetron" Back in the arena, Cal could’ve killed the wretched man But he was merciful And his mercy killed my brother

"I know that na to fill the tense air "He was one of your executioners Couldn’t get you, but he got Shade" It sounds like an accusation I have to look down, exaet hiain, unable to keep still He towers over ets that I’m not scared of brute force anymore "Did you?"

"I killed a lot of people" My voice breaks, but I soldier on "I don’t even kno many, I just know the queen was one of the to look at me Her eyes sith tears "The queen?" she whispers, breathless

"We have her body as well," I say, alrieving for my brother So I tell them about the broadcast, e hope to do

The horrible thing should go out tonight, during the evening news bulletins They’reevery person in the kingdoanda with their dinner A youthful, eager king, another victory in the trenches, and the like, but not tomorrow Instead, Norta will see their dead queen And the world will hear our call to arht of civil war, and Tramy follows, as he always does They jabber between each other, already drea our red flag on the ruins of Whitefire Palace Gisa is less enthusiastic

"I guess you won’t be here for long," she says, forlorn "They’ll need you back on the , at least not for a while"

I can’t stand the hope that sparks in them, especially Mom I almost don’t tell them at all, but last tioing to the Choke, and soon"

Dad roars so loudly I expect him to fall out of his wheelchair "You will not! Not while I still draw breath!" He wheezes to emphasize his point "No child of mine will ever return to that place Ever And don’t you dare tell me I can’t stop you, because believeand a lung He gave soto lose me to it too "I’m sure you would, Dad" I try to humor him That usually works