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The other kids looked away We’d explained, on the drive back to California, what had happened in Los Angeles And knowing that many of their parents had been involved in the Federal Coalition, or had siarcoated the harsh reality

"But we’ll help you find them," I’d promised "If Senator Cruz doesn’t know for certain where they are, we’ll try searching the different networks for clues"

Cole had re to the tea their backs and proudly congratulating them as they spilled out and formed a cluster around him There was a backpack at his feet, but he didn’t reach for it, not until Liam and Alice finally exited the bus I kneas about to happen, but frankly, I was too danaled to Senator Cruz With Rosa still pressed against her side, she said calet you a nice warood meal How does that sound?"

Liam and the Amplify reporter had their path toward us cut off as the Oasis kids strea a line that followed the senator to the tunnel down, passing Zu, Hina, Mike, and Kylie, who’d coroup of kids who had been left behind here, standing on the white crescent e, Cole stooped to pick up the backpack and tossed it to Liaht it

"I took the liberty," Cole began, his voice edged with ice, "of packing your things You’re finished here Get on your little bike and go ho anywhere" Lia back at his brother "And I’o"

Cole let out a derisive laugh, but I was the one to answer The words sprang into my mind, filled my mouth like bile "No, but I could"

I saw Zu jerk her gaze fro co Lia with a terrible, silent disappointment How dare he act like this was the real betrayal here? He’d gone behindso that risked the safety and lives of every kid here

And why? Because he was mad Cole diss worked He’d left the League, run away He’d checked out of training too early to understand that you fought fire with fire

"You went behindoff the words, "and somehow contacted Amplify when I specifically told you not to You were stupid enough to e Gray’s Internet crawlers picking the to roup of kids and as and our tile kid participating in it, including yourself and the ones we rescued And to top it off, Liaht a civilian into play I really hope it orth it to you, because while you’re getting the hell out of here, she is staying where we can keep her secured and locked up until this is all over"

"ExcuseTo Liam she muttered, "You said he’d be pissed, but this is"

"Reality," Cole finished, holding out his hand "Give ainst the device, which was noay safely in her bag "Listen to me when I say this," she said, "because I mean it literally--over my dead body You think I’htthe one in Atlanta that killed o ahead and try it, assle"

"Okay, sweetheart," Cole said, "you can keep your caital screen keep you company e lock you in your new room and throay the key"

"That’s--"

Lia her The woh, and her ivory skin didn’t lose its tinge of pink

"You’re right," he said "I did go behind your back and find out how to contact Amplify I met with Alice and her team, but only after I found Olivia and Brett, who I told not to couarantee a lower chance of getting killed than trying to survive alone in the wild I downloaded files onto a flash drive to prove my story to Amplify; I never sent thes? Because nothat resenored everyone’s ideas in favor of your own and you haven’t once listened to what I’ve tried to say, even though you know nothing about our lives and e’ve been through You like the fight, but soesturing to the tea today worked out pretty da the truth," Alice insisted "We never would have asked hiht us printouts, and only a few to prove his affiliation with the League Or whatever the hell it is you’re calling yourselves now"