“They communicated. Right under our noses.”
“Idris isn’t the only person in the room,” Knox says slowly. “Haven is right there.”
“And?” I ask. “How could she have possibly interfered with the cameras?”
“Maybe she’s a Gifted.”
Knox’s words settle in with a terrifying calm. It is the only thing that makes sense. Last night, I asked her how neither she nor her sister has powers when Warrick does. Our conversation from the other night plays in my mind.
“I was afraid too. Powers are scary.”
“What?” I ask.
“The day I was tested,” she says. “My mother was so worried.”
It explains everything. All the odd happenings. When she was kidnapped, the leader, Prue, missed my bullet. The rebels who escaped in the tunnel that she claimed were whisked away by a Speedster. Anytime Haven was around, weird things started happening.
I glance at Clover. I don’t want her to stick around for the rest of this conversation. Until I have proof, I can’t trust her around sensitive information. She could leak this to her father.
“Give us the room,” I say.
“But—”
“Now, Ashford,” I bark.
“She should be detained immediately,” Clover says. “And tested.”
“And after she is tested?” Knox asks. “What then?”
Haven had cheated her way out of her testing. That is a capital offense.
Clover doesn’t hesitate. “She is executed.”
There is a cruel glint in her eye, as if she relishes the idea of watching her die.
“You do not breathe a word of this to anyone,” I warn. “I will executeyouif you tell a soul. Is that clear, Ashford?”
Her dark blue eyes widen. She seems upset by my words.
“Ender, she is?—”
“Sir,” I correct. “You will address me as your unit lead. As the Commandant of the Forge. As the future leader of New Foundry.”
I step forward, looking her dead in the eye.
“If you defy me, I will kill you and everyone you have ever loved,” I promise. “Haven Warrick is my duty,mine, not yours.”
Clover swallows, fear darkening her eyes.
“Understood, sir.”
The door clicks shut behind her.
I lean against the table, the world reeling around me.
Haven is a Gifted.
Knox watches me carefully as if he’s afraid to speak. I don’t blame him. I just went ballistic on Clover.
