One-seven-eightwailed, the sound piercing Gemma’s bones.
Gemma sat forward, her legs trembling. “Captain, you have to believe me. We aren’t with the Dissent. We want to go to Oranos and get off of Reva.”
“Eight.” She swore the corner of the Kaizen’s mouth twitched up.
Gemma’s brain scrambled, trying to find a reason to stall her. “This Reymond guy...He could’ve been there seeing anyone. Who told you it was a contestant?”
“Seven.”
Both Gemma andone-seven-eightjumped when the door to the torture chamber flew open. Rami stepped inside, and Gemma dug her fingernails further into her thighs.
Of course he’d come to watch us die.
“May I speak to you a moment?” he asked the Kaizen, his eyes casting a concerned glare at the gun in her hands.
The Kaizen released the heaviest sign Gemma had ever heard. “Fine. But make it quick.”
Rami and the Kaizen left the room together, slamming the door behind them.
Hope burrowed its way into Gemma’s heart. She could get out of this. All they needed was a plan.
One-seven-eightcried into her hands. Gemma firmly grabbed her shoulders. “What’s your name?”
“Moriah,” she whispered, barely audible.
“Okay, Moriah, here’s what we’re gonna do. When the Kaizen comes back and starts counting, we’re going to tell her we’re both part of the Dissent.”
“What?” Moriah yelped, her eyes opened wide.
Gemma held up her hands. “But then we’ll argue with each other to distract her, try to convince her that we’re attempting to save theother’s life. That’ll annoy her, right?” Moriah nodded. “So, that’s when we jump. We’ll attack her, steal her gun, and run.”
Moriah sniffled, her lower lip quivering. “Run where?”
Gemma shook her head. “No idea. But any where’s better than dying here by her hands, right?”
Moriah hesitated, considering, and Gemma’s palms started sweating. If she and Moriah succeeded, Gemma would go back to Perileos and into hiding with the Dissent, where she and Reymond would come up with a new plan to kill Rami. Winning the Trials was the easiest way, but it couldn’t be the only way. They’d figure something out.
But first, Gemma needed to get free.
Just after Moriah nodded, the door slid open, and the Kaizen returned.
Gemma’s heart raced. She squeezed her thighs to keep her hands from shaking.Stars, help us.
“Now, where were we? On number six, I think,” the Kaizen said once she’d taken her seat.
Gemma waited for Moriah to speak. She wouldn’t say anything until she knew Moriah was fully on board. Gemma couldn’t jeopardize everything she’d worked so hard for by admitting when she could attempt another angle.
“Five,” the Kaizen started.
Still nothing.
“Four.”
Gemma’s heartbeat echoed in her ears.
“Three—”
“Fine!” Moriah shouted. “It’s me. I’m the operative.”
