I sit on the armchair with my legs crossed, listening to Rowan as he explains, “They want a vice president of their own choosing in the White House, which I already knew about. And also…” he pins the president with his stare, “…for me to surrender and let the Coalition win the war on the Ridge.”
My mouth goes dry. Maddox curses under his breath from where he’s sitting to my left. Cam sucks in a breath, but otherwise remains silent. Rowan’s eyes flick to me for the briefest second before returning to the room. “In exchange, they’ll give us the antidote.”
“Antidote…?” I ask.
Everyone’s eyes shift to me, as if they’re already in the know and I’m the only one left out.
Cam’s question confirms it. “You haven’t told her?”
Rowan closes his eyes, biting into the tissue of his inner lip as he breathes out through his nose.
“He doesn’t have to.” I dip my head. “While I was there in their town, they kept injecting me with something every day. And at first I thought it was drugs. You know, to keep me compliant. But the more they did it, the worse I felt. I was pretty sure I had an infection of sorts, but I blamed it on the cold concrete floor in the cell where they kept me. I don’t know what that serum was, but I can tell it’s bad. I just…” I look up at the ceiling, fighting back tears, before holding their stares. “You can’t let these people back into the White House. Not after everything you’ve all sacrificed.”
To my surprise, it is the president who answers to that. His voice is low and imposing as he says, “Don’t speak as if you’re not worth the sacrifice, Dove. We fight for our country, yes. And you are part of it. So we will do whatever it takes to save your life, consequences be damned.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just nod like an idiot. When I turn my face to Rowan, he’s already there, holding my stare with soft eyes.
He says, “I told you that you’re safe now, angel, and I meant that. You don’t have to stay here and listen to any of this. In fact, maybe it would be better for you to—”
“No. No, I… I want to help. Don’t push me away. I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts right now.”
He nods faintly and I ask, looking at Cam, “How did this happen? How did Salister come into power? From the brief conversation I had with him, it sounded like they’re trying to change the system… to control the population in some way. Can he actually do it?”
The First Lady leans forward in her seat, supporting her chin with her palm, her legs crossed. “It’s pretty sad, actually. Our family—my ancestors—founded the EFW back in the beginningof the 17th century. The knowledge was passed on from father to father, and mine…Salister… his life was decided from before he was even born. My grandfather raised him after the society’s customs—to view women as nothing but breeders and toys, to sacrifice his wants and needs for those of the society, to think beyond what is possible and lead with an iron fist. There was only one time…” she bites her lip, looking into the void, continuing, “only one moment when I saw his humanity shine through.
“It was when my mother was imprisoned for bringing a man back to life after he’d been tortured for weeks. She was… a rarity with a kind soul in this dreadful world.” She smiles. “I could tell my father wanted to help her. In his sick, twisted ways, I think he loved her—this wasbeforethe celibacy rule came into place. But there was nothing he could do without sacrificing his position in the EFW and losing the only thing he knew to be real in this world. So she died in that prison, and then he sent me to The Hive for training and guidance from the Matron. And after that, I never saw weakness in my father’s eyes again. I think whatever kernel of humanity he was holding onto died with my mother.”
I’m still as a statue as I listen to her words, my chest tight with a feeling I can’t quite put my finger on. I shouldn’t care about the kind of life Salister endured, but a small voice in my head tells me it’s okay to understand. Not to forgive, no. But to understand. The story ends, and I let out a breath that has my body silently thanking me for releasing the tension I’ve been holding onto.
“If he told you he wants to change the system, then believe me, every single thing he’s done over the years was to achieve this. He could do it…” Cam clicks her tongue. “If it weren’t for all of us here, in this room.”
“I’ll go back,” Cole says decisively. “The men I rallied to go up against them are doing their part. But I also need to do mine.”
“Which is?” Maddox asks.
“Tell Salister about the rebellion and pretend to put an end to it myself. If I do this, I’ll gain his full trust. I’ll get access to high-level stuff, to most if notallof their plans. I only know bits and pieces, but if I go back, I can piece things together.”
Rowan taps his fingers against the desk. “You don’t think he knows you’re behind it?”
“He shouldn’t. I’ve been careful to cover my tracks.”
“So this whole thing is hanging by a thread of assumption?” I ask.
My brother’s eyes turn to me. “It’s the only option we’ve got.”
“No,” I say, my voice falling cold. “I won’t let you leave again. We’ve only just got you back and… and… you want to go back there and die?!”
“Dove…” he murmurs.
“Rowan,” I press on, leaning forward in my chair. “Tell him. Tell him it’s stupid and that he can’t go.”
Cam intervenes calmly. “This likely won’t work, Cole. Rowan and Maddox have been attacking their outposts for years. Rowan eliminated an entire town. But they keep going—they always find a way.”
Cole stiffens. “You don’t understand. Those men depend on my leadership. I can’t just leave them there to die. Besides, this isn’t the same as destroying their outposts. This destruction would come from the inside out.”
I give him a beseeching look, and once again look at Rowan, who keeps tapping his fingers against the table. My brother and I stare each other down, my stomach twisting further. After everything… he wants to do it all over again. Exit out that door and fight for me, risking his life. I get the sentiment. I would do the same for him in a heartbeat. And I get that there are people still out there, depending on him with their lives. But is this theonly option? I refuse to think that Cole dealing with that monster all by himself is our only way out.
“They’re right,” Rowan finally says. I let out a breath of relief. “If you go back, they’ll imprison you again. Or kill you on the spot. Don’t underestimate Salister. You know he has eyes and ears everywhere.”
