We burst out on the far side of the haze, and for the first time since this started, I get a clear view of the ridge we’re heading toward.
It’s steep.
Icy.
And exposed.
“No way we climb that before they reach us,” Miles mutters behind me.
“We don’t have to climb all of it,” Aaron says, checking his watch. “We just have to survive for two minutes.”
Lena stiffens in my arms. “Ronan… what happens in two minutes?”
I look up.
Past the treetops.
Toward the sky.
Another aircraft.
A big one.
Aaron grins — a dangerous, feral edge. “Cyclone called in the cavalry.”
A SEAL Security heavy escort dropship is barreling toward us.
But Ascendancy sees it too.
Roscov’s voice suddenly crackles through the comm line — hijacking our frequency.
It’s smooth. Calm. Mocking.
“Pierce… You’re becoming quite predictable.”
My blood turns to ice.
Lena’s fingers tighten around my jacket.
I raise the comm to my mouth. “If you touch this channel again, I swear—”
“Oh, I won’t need to,” Roscov interrupts. “Because I already have what I came for.”
A cold chill slices straight down my spine.
“No,” Lena whispers. “No… he can’t…”
“What the hell is he talking about?” Aaron growls.
Roscov laughs softly. “Look around, Pierce. You’re so desperate to protect her… you didn’t think to check what she was carrying.”
My heart stops.
I whirl, scanning Lena, her expression draining of color.
“Ronan,” she whispers, shaking her head, “I don’t know what he means—”
“Don’t move,” I say gently, lifting her chin.
