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"Okay," Luke said, sighing "This is getting kind of aard Maybe I should go…uh, do soot a little lost as I stared into his eyes and my heart rate kicked up as he lowered his head I was sure he was going to kiss ht there on theshrill blasted through the training roo Seth back Within a second, he was on his feet, and then I was ontoward the doors

"What’s going on?" I winced as the sound picked up volunal for when the Covenant is under attack"

Chapter 30

DUTY DEMANDED that I head for the gates, but there was no way I was leaving Josie out here on her own "We need to get you back in the dor, but if it is, you are not ready" Herthat to be a jerk It’s just the truth You’re not ready and I need you to be safe Okay?"

She looked like she was going to argue for aher hand, we hauled ass back to the dor ushered into buildings I took her tofor some crazy reason she would be safer there

She followed , could it ht between two very different instincts One was to stay with her, to ensure that she would remain safe The other was to do what I had trained to do since I was eight, as expected from me because of what I was

You’re not just the Apollyon

Josie sat on the edge of the bed, holding the quilt around her, and I shookit over the shirt I wore "It could mean the walls have been breached"

"Oh God," she whispered, and I heard her shuffling around "You…you need to go"

Heading to the dresser, I grabbed weapons and loaded up When I turned, she was standing there, eyes wide

My heart hit my ribs as I crossed the distance between us I cupped her face, tilting her chin back so our eyes o That’s my--"

"I understand," she whispered

A half-smile formed on my lips What I wanted to do was blow out of there with her Fucking disappear Together But that was stupid as shit, because there was nowhere either of us could go where ouldn’t be found

"It’s going to be okay I just need you to stay in here" My eyes searched hers as she nodded "Nothing should get to these dor down, I unstrapped one of the daggers and placed it in her hand, folding her fingers around the handle "I know you haven’t learned how to use this, but it’s fairly sih the door, you stab You don’t stop until they’re down"

Her gaze flicked to the dagger she held, and a wisp of panic unfurled in my chest "Do you understand, Josie? I need to know that you can do this"