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"There’s always a way, Diana There’s always a way"

"Don’t," she said "Don’t find a way"

Chapter Twenty-Six

9 HOURS

"YOU WANT US to shoot your brother?" Turk was incredulous

"Don’t even think about it," Edilio said He had a tight grip on his rifle, finger on the trigger The sights were centered on Turk’s anxious face But his eyes were bleary and he was stifling a need to cough "She doesn’t mean it"

"Too many dead kids," Astrid said wearily "There just can’t be any more dead kids It’s ti within hi her mind like Mary Terrafino?

"I kno many kids have died," Edilio said "I buried most of them"

"It’s all because of Little Pete," Astrid said

"No You don’t know that" Edilio aihtly Her long hair, soaked, hung like golden snakes "You aren’t the one taking care of hihed, fought it back, coughed again He tried to steady his mind and cal about?" Turk demanded He was clearly confused

Edilio felt the house rumble Heavy footsteps Orc It had to be Orc Orc on whose side? That was the question

The boy-e slushy sound as he ravel

He pushed past Edilio His head sagged to his chest, and for a ht have fallen asleep

No, he was just hauns"

"No, no, no What are you two talking about? That’s the first question," Turk deer on His gun was still aiun If youinto exile"

"What happens if I shoot the ’tard?" Lance deive you a trial And if you’re guilty, you leave town and never co, and you know it, Edilio," Lance snarled "Tell me, Astrid Tell us all What happens if we shoot the ’tard?"

Panic It was eating at Edilio’s et control of the situation He had to be in charge But what should he do?

Edilio stared down the barrel of his rifle at Turk His head i His neck and face were hot

He shifted his ai Lance into his sights

The first one to decide would win

"If--," Astrid said

BLAM!

The rifle kicked against Edilio’s shoulder The side of Lance’s handsome face erupted in a fountain of blood

"Lance!" Turk cried