“The fleet will come.” Tilda chews on her pinky nail.
Tilda and Uaxin may not be part of the circle, but as I sit here with them and wait for death, I realize they’ve taken the pieces of my heart that weren’t already stolen by my Alphas. Maybe they’re not the circle, but theyarefamily. And if I have to die, I’m glad that I won’t be going alone.
She frowns at her gnawed nail. “They have to know we’re out here. I mean, that ship was massive. Bits will be falling into the atmosphere. They’re probably already on their way, right? They have to—”
“They’re coming.” I reach for Tilda, my arm finally obeying my command, barely.
“The fleet?” She takes my hand. “Thank the Pillars. Wait, how do you know?”
I try to smile, though Kyte’s barrier flickers dangerously close. “Not the fleet. Better.”
“What could be better than—”
“That’s a fine piece of ship you got there.” Jeren’s voice comes over the staticky comms as their busted-up bird appears through Kyte’s barrier. “But where’s the rest?”
23
Kyte
“She needs Onin.” I carry Lana into the Academy on tired legs, Ceredes and Jeren at my back. “Now!” I hurry through the entryway, down the long hall, and then into the medical unit.
Onin is already at work, but I knew that. I could feel it when my mother’s fleet ship fell through the atmosphere and only escaped total destruction because of a squadron of fighters from Centari City. But the damage had already been done.
I lay Lana gently on the nearest cot.
Jeren grips my shoulder. “We’ve got this. Go to your mother.” He knows. Somehow, he could feel my anguish even through the wall I put up to hide it.
“I don’t want to leave you.” I stroke Lana’s pale hand.
“I’m okay.” She turns her head and looks at the chaos around us. The fleet ship that was attacked had several dignitaries on it, including a member of the council of regents. The war has begun, and the first casualties are all around us—some moaning, some unconscious, others already dead.
“Kyte.” My mother’s pull is weak, but I can still feel her. I should go to her, but I can’t face the truth. I can’t lose her like this. Maybe if I stay with Lana—
“Go.” Lana’s voice is strong inside me. “Don’t be afraid. She needs you.”
Master Varat flutters past and works on a moaning patient as Master Carna’s googly eyes peer worriedly at her own patient—though he’s already dying.
I take a deep breath, kiss Lana’s hand, and turn away.
“You can do this.” Jeren’s voice is especially poignant. I saw him lose his mother; how hard it was for him to continue to be strong when he was so young.
I cut through the center of the room and take a right, passing a handful of Calarian nobles until I come to the bed where she is.
When I get a full look at her, my knees go weak, then give out.
“I’ve got you.” Jeren’s strong arms wrap around me, and he helps me kneel slowly at her bedside.
“Mother.” I take her burned hand in mine and try to will my healing powers into her.
“You’re spent.” Her voice is a croak, and I can’t see her eyes. The burns have wrecked her, skin and fabric joined where the blast from the Sentient cannon cauterized everything it touched. Her pain is a dull thud in my head.
Jeren hovers behind me as I try again to heal her, but only her fingertips return to a normal golden hue.
“Onin!” I yell for him as he rushes past with syringes in two of his hands.
He hurries back to me.
“Save her.” I realize tears are falling down my face as I look up at him. “Please, save her!”
