“What?” Hawk and Imara shouted almost simultaneously as bile rose in Gemma’s throat. This was so unfair, so cruel. No one should have to live with the guilt of sending someone back to Perileos.
Their instructor ignored their cries of anger and just left the room.
Christian dropped his forehead into his hands, his elbows on his knees, and dug his fingers into his light brown hair. Alfie’s face had paled, and Colton glared at the bowl with fury.
Gemma bit back tears.I will kill you, Rami.
“Well, this is fucking stupid,” Imara mouthed.
Hawk sat back in his seat, an exasperated noise escaping through his pursed lips.
For what felt like hours, the room was silent. So quiet that Gemma’s heartbeat was the loudest noise in the room. Who in the blazes would be willing to startthisconversation?
“It should be Alfie,” Colton said a moment later.
“What?” Alfie exclaimed. “I was your partner, man. You can’t choose me.”
“Well, I just did.”
Gemma’s heart stopped when Alfie flung out his arm, motioning to her. “But what about her? She’s the weakest person in the room. If the next tests are physical, do you really want someone that small on your team?”
Gemma’s bottom lip quivered.This isn’t happening.
“Don’t forget,” Christian said, “if it weren’t for her saving your life in the first round, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. We need her.”
Gemma’s stare caught his. Something unguarded flashed in his eyes before he quickly looked away.
Alfie flopped backward in his chair, a deep scowl on his face.
“I mean...” Hawk ran his hand down his face. “You did freeze in that first test, Alfie. If the next tests are physical, how do we know you won’t do it again?”
Alfie flapped his arms. “I didn’t freeze in this last trial, and it wasn’t exactly easy.” He turned to Colton. “Come on, man. You know I did good.”
Colton ground his teeth, his dark brown eyes catching Gemma’s. She gripped the edges of her seat so hard; her fingertips ached.
“I still vote Gemma stays,” he said at last.
Gemma let out a shaky breath through her nostrils. That was three of them, and Imara had promised she’d be Gemma’s ally. She would be okay.Stars, please let me stay.
Imara crossed her arms and glared at Colton. “What about you? Alfie was your partner in that last round, and you so easily turned on him. How do we know you won’t do the same to us?”
Colton looked at Gemma, raising an eyebrow.
“Colton saved my life,” Gemma admitted. “I trust him.”
Alfie pounded his armrest. “This is so ridiculous.”
“Do we vote, then?” Hawk asked. He grabbed a slip of paper and felt-tip from the table. “Let’s do it anonymously. We’ll write the name of the person we have to send home.” He grimaced. “Then we’ll ask the AI dude to tally the votes. Agreed?”
Christian snatched paper and a felt-tip. “Let’s just get this over with.”
With shaky hands, Gemma took her slip of paper and felt-tip, wiping the traitorous tear from her cheek as she wroteAlfie. She swallowed deeply before folding her paper in half and dropping it in the black glass bowl.
When everyone had entered their vote, Hawk got the android and explained the situation.
“As you wish,” the AI said, taking their votes in its metal hands. Its eyes scanned every piece in a matter of seconds then announced, “Alfie has the most votes. Please follow me.”
Alfie screamed. “You all are the worst. I hope you fail miserably.”
