Before I can lunge and engulf myself in fire, someone slams into me with unbelievable force. I’m thrown sideways, landing hard on the ground. Through the pulsing pain, I raise my head to see a blurry figure coming toward me. My instincts urge me to defend myself, but there is no point since I was trying to end my life. When my attacker leans over me, I notice long, red hair.
“Lyla?”
“Sorry about this, friend.” She slams her fist into my face hard enough to send me to oblivion.
Chapter 26
Finn
“Drive!”
A bullet shatters one of the windows, and Hector pulls me down to the floor of the car. More bullets hit as we speed out of the area, leaving the burning compound behind. The attack started shortly after Caden went to find River. I recognized High Hope’s brown uniforms in the distance and Lyla’s red hair as she rode her horse. Before I could try to reach her, Hector shoved me into the car, but that might have been for the best, since I could have easily gotten shot in the crossfire.
We speed away from the fighting when a siren cuts through the air. I look out the window to spot pillars of smoke rising from one of the entrances to the city. The attack has officially started. War is here.
“They started their attack by taking out our communication center.” Hector holds my gaze. “Did you tell that Semi what to hit first?”
I push past my fear and say, “Yes.”
He smiles while explosions go off in the distance. “There is something you don’t understand. I don’t care about losing this city and everyone here. The only army I care about is down inthe sewers, and I will not send them out to defend a city I was already counting on losing.”
I watch him closely, telling myself these are the words of a desperate man, but he doesn’tseemdesperate.
In the distance, more loud explosions cut through the howl of the sirens. Dozens of buggies drive past us, carrying Raiders who wave their weapons. By now, every person in the city must have realized what is happening, which means that thousands of armed Raiders are now rushing to battle.
This is their Skyfall, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Hector narrows his eyes. “If you told the Semi to attack the communication center, what more did you tell him?”
My stomach tightens. “Nothing.”
He shoots out his hand and grips my neck, forcing me down on my knees. I can’t breathe, and I can’t make him let go, so I try to remain calm as my lungs burn and my vision turns blurry. Before I pass out, he lets go, leaving me gasping for air.
“Let’s try this again. What more did you tell him? Was it…” He growls. “Did you tell him about the sewers?”
My silence is enough of an answer. Hector orders the driver to change course to where the entrance to the sewers is. He nudges me with his foot to return to my seat. When I do, I spot a swarm of drones flying past us. I wonder if the damage to the communication center was enough to grant Helena control over the drones.
“He’s dead,” Hector says.
“Who?”
“Who do you think? My champion, the one you came here to save. I hope it was worth it.”
I shake my head. “You’re lying.”
“Who would know better than I?”
I look away, not willing to show him my fear. Caden is not allowed to die, even though I was aware of the possibility. For him to be dead, it means that River must have killed him, and I can’t grasp a world where that can happen.
You’re not allowed to die, asshole.
The car slows to a halt, and the driver says, “A couple of buggies collided, sir. They’re blocking the road.”
Hector grunts and climbs out, pulling me after him. Two bodies are lying on the ground, while ten Raiders fight about who was to blame. We’re in one of the small neighborhoods surrounding the city center, where the roads are narrow.
“Get out of the way!” Hector shouts.
The Raiders watch him in shock, and the bravest one says, “We can’t, governor! The engines are busted.”
