I blinked, trying to remember what James had told me about that. “I don’t understand. I thought all Collectives in Europe had already proclaimed it.”
Sean shook his head, the strain in his shoulders easing slightly. “The resistance at Crown was too strong. We couldn’t come to an agreement.”
“Resistance? You’re not Radicals, are you?” I asked, uncertainty creeping into my voice.
“Of course not,” he spat, his posture stiffening. “How can ye even think that?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I guess I don’t entirely understand the difference between Resistants and Radicals.” I kept my shoulders low and my tone gentle, hoping he’d see I hadn’t meant any harm. “You don’t want the Great Exposure to happen?”
Sean shook his head again, and his expression softened. “No, we don’t. That’s why we resist the consensus, to keep it from happening. But we don’t believe in the Radicals’ methods either. We don’t want humans to know about us yet, but we sure as hell aren’t pointing nuclear weapons at innocent people.”
I nodded, trying to wrap my head around it all. “So, where does that leave you?”
“As I said, we are Resistants. We fight the consensus and we fight the Radicals,” he said firmly. “Every step of the way. Ye think we’d join them after they attacked us with an Amplifier?”
His words hung in the air, laced with bitterness. I couldn’t blame him.
“Wait,” I said, still trying to piece it together. “If Crown hasn’t reached a consensus, whydidthe Radicals attack you?”
Sean’s jaw tightened, the rigidity returning. “We’re the most powerful Offensives in Europe. Crown had never seen any kind of attack before this, our borders impenetrable. Even Slava’s had more intruders throughout history. If they destabilize us, it weakens the rest. That’s why.”
I pondered it.
“I’m actually in favor of the Great Exposure,” I said quietly. “Being able to merge my two lives, human and magi would be everything. So I won’t join the Resistance. But the Radicals need to be stopped. If you’re fighting them, I want in.”
Sean blinked, clearly surprised. “Ye want to fight the Radicals with us? At Crown?”
I nodded and kept my tone steady. “James is fighting with you. I don’t see why I couldn’t.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, skepticism evident. “Joinin’ a war only because yer boyfriend’s in it? Not exactly the smartest reason to risk yer life.”
I met his gaze evenly. “You think this is about James?”
“Isn’t it?” he asked, his question sharp, probing.
Without breaking eye contact, I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the network of scars crisscrossing my arm. His eyes widened as he took in the raw, ugly marks, the permanent reminders of what had happened at Coastal.
“This is personal,” I said, hoping to keep the tears at bay. “I’m not doing this for James. I’m doing it because I’ve fought them before. And I’ll fight them again.”
Sean swallowed, his bravado faltering as he stared at my scars. “Emma… I’m so sorry,” he whispered, genuine sympathy clear on his face.
I shrugged, then dragged my sleeve back down. “You didn’t know. It’s fine. Just let me join. I promise, I’m stronger than you think.”
Sean smiled faintly, but there was sadness behind it. “I don’t doubt that. Those scars… They prove what kind of survivor ye are.”
We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the conversation settling between us. Sean’s charm had disarmed me, sure, but more than that—he understood. Even though we barely knew each other.
“So,” Sean said finally, breaking the quiet. “You translated blood all over the room?”
I nodded, as the heat of embarrassment crept up my neck.
“Have you ever had any other incidents like that?”
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “I mean, I did survive the Amplifier last year and destroyed the Spring Palace while I was at it.”
Sean’s jaw dropped. “You survived an Amplifier? How?”
Well, that’s a good fucking question.
