Page 136 (2/2)

I saw an open ventilation duct Didn’t even look to see if it had a bottom before I dove in The sheet metal vaporized behind ed to jas and hands to halt my fall The friction shredded the skin froed to slide down the rest of the way, just as alos

For the first tilad I’m small

When I reached the end of the air duct, I kicked my way out, found a construction ladder down, and then limped off into the streets of the reconstruction zone Still, the Obsidians follow

I can’t outrun them, so I ju trash over myself Rats the size of toddlers and cockroaches the size rats should be scurry aroundmy back, my ar to each other in their alien tongue They’re searching the streets A searing line of pain works its way down my left forear I hold my breath

The top layer of skin on my hands oozes blood I wince as I clutch the shiny pistol I took from outside Philippe’s car I was too terrified to turn around and use it on the Obsidians I’ve never even held a weapon before Could I shoot a man? Who were they anyway? Who did Philippe deliver the children to? The Pink one was the boss, but I didn’t hear his naht Philippe’s—his real name

I hate the bastard

His crow shot Kavax They killed Kavax

Are they going to kill Pax and the girl? Don’t let them die Don’t let it be my fault Please

I shift in the garbage Flies buzz up in s ainstso fast It’s toothe flies off me in a panic My shoulder stabs with pain I kneel there in the street ahtness in h my tuxedo jacket

Think, Lyria Think

I have to run But where do I go?

The Sovereign will think I’m in on this, and they’ll kill o back to the Citadel But Liam…

Only shadows populate the streets Cold rain has been falling since we left Quicksilver’s My teeth chatter together I think of Kavax’s kind face, how he said that Sophocles chose ic Bloodydamn lie

I’m poison All the time I was in the Citadel, I resented then That’s why the children were taken Because I was rotten I was stupid enough to trust a Gray

I tuck Philippe’s pistol insideto the shadows I jog as much as I can, but my shoulder hurts so bad I have to rest every three blocks or so I reach into my jacket to clutch the pistol and duck into a doorhen several hoverbikes roar down the street On the backs, men in shiny beetle-black hel like an addict and scratch under my nose like I’ve just done black dust One of the hoverbikers pauses, tenme a junkie