D’aarn sat heavily on a stool. He pointed to Viktoria’s photo. “You aren’t that woman anymore.”
“I don’t know who I am.” Ria felt a rush of desolation fill her. The mission. She grabbed onto that. She had to focus on the mission.
Whoever she was, she had even more incentive now to be free of the Guild. Free of the organization that had stolen her life and her death. They’d taken her very identity.
Hot anger choked her. “Let’s get out of here.” She speared the doctor with a look. “Is there a quick way out?”
“Delivery door in back. It’s where the bodies are brought in.”
Ria strode away.
Zayn jogged up beside her. “Ria, we need to talk.”
“Not now.” She still couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She’d truly believed he was starting to see her, not the past. She was falling in love with him, and she’d hoped there was a chance he might one day feel something for her. For Ria. But now she was Viktoria. God, what a mess. “Not now, okay?”
He sighed. “Okay.”
There was a set of sliding frosted-glass doors. As they approached, they slid open.
The delivery area brought her up short. Metal tables lined one wall, all covered in dead bodies shrouded by white sheets. Poor souls waiting for their turn in the tanks.
The boiling sensations in Ria bubbled over. She strode to the first body and ripped off the sheet. The man was an Argylian, in the prime of his life before someone had slit his throat.
She wouldn’t let these people’s remains be desecrated. Wouldn’t let them live a lie, their existence stolen from them.
She spun, studying the room. In the corner, she spied the industrial incinerator. As she neared, she felt the heat pouring off it. She guessed some bodies didn’t make the cut—either too damaged or not possessing the right physical characteristics to make a perfect assassin.
Ria wrenched open the incinerator door and a wave of heat rushed out. The hungry flames burned a neon green, chemically enhanced to burn very hot.
Next, she moved to the table holding the Argylian, gripped his body under the arms, and heaved him off the table.
He was heavy and it took all her strength to drag him across the floor. Then Zayn was there, grabbing the man’s feet.
“You’re sure about this?”
She looked at him now and saw nothing but sympathy on his handsome face. He had a right to be upset and angry as well, but instead he just looked worried.
“I’m not going to let these people become puppets for the Guild.” God, her body had been in here, naked, covered by a sheet. “They died, they deserve to rest in peace.”
With a nod, Zayn hefted the man’s feet. They slid him into the incinerator.
Ria watched the flames leap high and forced herself to watch as the man’s remains dissolved. Then she turned and moved to the next body.
She lost track of time as they dropped the bodies into the flames. Soon, the tables were empty, and Ria felt empty inside too. She felt something on her cheeks and lifted a hand.
Moisture. Tears tracking down her cheeks.
Zayn took her hand and squeezed. She wanted to turn into him, hold him tight, and pretend that everything was all right.
She didn’t. Because everything wasn’t all right.
But she held onto his hand as they watched the devouring flames.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The shuttle ride back to theInfinitaswas silent.
Zayn slowed the shuttle and completed the docking. A moment later, the shuttle door opened with a hiss.
