She glanced at her comm after replacing the panel.09:55. If Colton was watching, hopefully he’d think she was alone.
Gemma crept down the maintenance shaft toward the small alcove where she knew Colton would eventually meet her. She was early, so maybe she’d have the upper hand. Maybe they’d even catch him before he came in here.
Though that wouldn’t bode well for Nadine. Gemma had to face him first.
Despite the knowledge that her teammates were listening via a clever device, her heart pounded uncontrollably. The last time she’d been with Colton, he’d nearly killed her. If he found out she was bugged...
Gemma swallowed, shaking her head.Focus. You’ll be fine. The moment she heard Nadine’s voice, she’d talk about their city, and help would come. All would be okay.
She rounded the bend into the alcove and froze. Colton was already there, picking at his nails with the point of a dagger.
He smirked. “I figured you’d show. Your sister wasn’t so sure.”
“Where is she?” Gemma asked, trying hard to keep her voice from shaking.
Colton nodded toward a homemade radio. “Pick it up.”
Her knees felt like they’d give out as she crossed the tiny room to grab the mouthpiece of the device. Her stomach already churned.Stars, help me.
Gemma spoke into the device. “Nadine?”
Nothing.
Colton snorted. “You have to press that little button on the side,idiota.”
Gemma ground her teeth but followed his instruction. Again, she called her sister’s name.
One second. Two seconds.
“Hello, Gemma.”
A sob burst out of her. She pressed the button again, her hand shaking violently. “Are you okay? Please, tell me you’re okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you—” Gemma froze. There’d been no fear in her sister’s voice. No pain, no sadness. Only indifference, like she didn’t even care that she hadn’t spoken to Gemma in over three years.
“You disappoint me, Gemma,” Nadine continued. “I thought I could count on my sister, more than anyone in any universe, to want change for our people.”
Gemma’s heart stopped. “You’re with the Dissent.”
“Of course I am. How do you think we afforded to live as well as we did after Mom and Dad died? The Dissent’s our family.”
Tears streamed down Gemma’s face. “No. You’re lying.You’remy only family.”
“Who do you think sent Reymond to you? How do you think Reymond knew the best way to motivate you to murder Rami? You were always the kid who’d follow the rules and never cause a problem. Younever willingly would’ve joined us, even if you did want a better life for your people. You needed a push.”
Gemma was going to faint. The edges of her vision darkened; her breaths came too quickly. “It was your—youridea to pretend you were dead?”
“Yes.”
Gemma turned to the side and vomited. Her own sister sent her after Rami. It was Nadine who’d used Gemma’s love for her as a weapon. Why?Why?
“I cried over you!” Gemma screamed. “I nearly killed myself because of you! I was tortured because of you! Why would you do this to me?”
“Because I need my sister at my side, and the person you were was never strong enough to do what it’ll take to get freedom for our people. But you are now—look how far you’ve come! You see now the lengths the Systems will go through to protect their own. You’ve heard the Kaizen’s ‘speeches.’ You’ve seen all the technologies they willingly keep from us, leaving us in poverty. It’s not too late, Gemma, to stand with me. Colton will help you get to Oranos, and together, we will change the fate for everyone in Perileos.”
Gemma shook her head, her tears dripping off her chin. “You murder people, Nadine. Innocent people. Our people.”
