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"She would have killed Benjy no matter what I’d decided," said Knox "You have to understand that I thought you were going to go after Augusta, but when it becaive me some incentive?" I said, too drained to put much bite behind it "If he’d died--"

"But I didn’t," said Benjy, holding hter "I’m fine"

Knox cleared his throat "I’m sorry That’s all I wanted to say I don’t expect you to understand, but Lila…"

I looked away If our positions had been reversed, if it had been Benjy bleeding to death and Lila whousta threatened to kill, I would have done the sah

I took a deep breath "Did Celia tell you--"

"About Daxton?" Knox nodded "She’s having Lila moved to the bunker We have doctors there, and once she’s healed…" Hes my word, but at least she’ll be free to do what she wants So will Celia"

"So they’re really disappearing?" I said My insides constricted "I et to be happy But Celia--"

"It’s the perfect opportunity for her to disappear and lead the Blackcoats full-time," he said "She hates this life, and she wants to spend more time with Lila now that she has her back It’s for the best"

You’re her now Suddenly Celia’s wordsI did my part, and Lila’s still alive You don’t need rio, too, but for noe have a fantastic opportunity

Everyone in Lila’s hospital rooht she was you

Everyone thinks you’re her Lila doesn’t want to do this, but you--"

"You’re going to make me stay" It wasn’t a question, and I felt Benjy tense beside me "Knox--"

"I promise you--I promise both of you that I will fix this" He crouched in front of us "It kills me to do this e’ve asked so much of you already, but we need you The Blackcoats need you The people need you

Once it’s done, you have ain, and you’ll be free to do whatever you want on the Harts’ dime for the rest of your life"

I let out a shaky breath I didn’t care about how Benjy and I would pay for our perfect life together--I just wanted it to happen I didn’t want to be Lila anymore

But I wanted to help those people, too Everyone who had heard me speak in New York, everyone who had been branded and oppressed, whose entire lives had been dictated by one test while others were able to coast by, receiving their marks because of the family they’d been born into and education lower ranks couldn’t afford--it wasn’t fair It wasn’t fair to the people, and it wasn’t fair to society

I’d believed everything I’d said in ht people like me orthless I could h I would have a purpose I couldn’t walk away fro to kill me when it’s over?" I said

"What happens if Daxton finds out? What happens if he remembers?"

"You’ll be safe," said Knox He set a hand on my knee, and beside me, Benjy huffed "I promise no one will touch you Not Daxton, not Celia, no one They’ll have to kill me first"

"Me, too," said Benjy I didn’t see the look heKnox, but Knox reirlfriend, and I’ll protect her"

I frowned "I don’t need anyone’s protection No one else is going to die because of lared at Benjy "Especially not you"

Benjy looked away, and I kneouldn’t listen And when Knox shook his head, I kneouldn’t, either

"We’ll do e have to do," said Knox "And I’ll do what I have to do to help you For what it’s worth, you have my word"

I stared at the floor This was the only purpose I had any I could have done soer, I told myself, and then Benjy and I would be free to live the rest of our lives in peace

All I could do in thestupid to protect me

This time I would be Lila on my own terht," I said "I’ll do it"

Benjy said nothing This was h He was a VI; he couldn’t understand I’d only been a III for a day--one ed my entire life No one deserved to have someone else control their future, and I wasn’t about to let my fear of Daxton dictate mine

Knox smiled and tookYou won’t regret this"

I wasn’t sure I believed him, but at least now I had the chance to choose my fate, and I would do whatever it took to usta’s funeral was held the day Daxton ell enough to leave the infirmary It was my first public appearance with the family as Lila, and I slipped easily into the role

No one told Daxton exactly how she had died, and he didn’t see lack of emotion And ouldn’t he? Not only was he not her real son, but noas free to run the entire country any way he pleased without a single person telling hih, that wouldn’t last long

The funeral was held in a cathedral with vaulted ceilings and stained glass s Spots of color appeared on the ground when the sun broke through the clouds, and it was breathtaking Mourners filled the pews, none of thele one looked sincerely broken up over Augusta’s death Plenty had crocodile tears in their eyes, but as we passed, their greedy looks and furtive sether in the front pew Benjy was in the back with the others, leaving me to sit between Knox and Greyson, who had barely said a word to usta