Light fixtures hang down from the stone walls. Rebels move along the upper balcony, rifles strung across their backs. Their stance is alert and defensive.
Mercy helps me out of the car. I’m battered and bruised. Blood is caked to my skin, and I’m in desperate need of a bath.
Sullivan steps forward, followed by Prue.
“Girls,” Sullivan says, eyes wide with relief.
He wraps his arms around us, and tears slip out of my eyes. I’ve missed him so much. Our presence here feels more comforting, knowing he is with the rebels. I’m not sure how to process the information about him and my mother, but it makes sense. Sullivan was more of a father to us than Orson Warrick. It made sense that he loved the one person who meant the world to us, too.
“You’re safe,” Sullivan says. “Nothing can hurt you here.”
It doesn’t feel that way. Things feel even more dangerous than before. The Director knows about me. Ender is broken. AndI don’t know how I’m supposed to fix it all. My lungs tighten at the thought that Ender is still back there, alone and confused. All my anger towards him has faded after that last encounter. I don’t blame him for the death of my friends, even though their demise weighs heavily on my chest. Whatever monster he is was made by his father. Malric Vale is the true villain.
Sullivan releases us with a fatherly pat on both our heads. He must have loved our mother if that affection could flow down so purely to us. He always bought Mercy new books from his travels, and I new weapons. He nurtured our interests and cared for us.
I have so many questions for him, about my mother, about their relationship, about my powers, and what Idris confessed. It must have been Sullivan who told them about my mother’s suspicions.
“Later,” Sullivan promises, sensing the questions in my eyes. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Prue steps forward. Her steel eyes locked on mine.
“You made it,” she says, relieved. “We were worried about you.”
“Gray came in the nick of time,” I say. “They almost stuck that thing in me.”
I shudder at the thought of being implanted. They would use me as a mindless soldier, forcing me to turn on everyone I loved.
Prue gives Gray an approving look.
“Well done, Grayson,” she says.
Then she turns to Mercy.
“You must be Mercy,” she says warmly. “Welcome.”
People trickle in. It strikes me then that this isn’t just an outpost, it’s a settlement. Children cling to the hips of their mothers, wide-eyed and nervous. Men with thick beards study us with keen eyes.
“Haven Warrick is one of us,” Prue calls. “An Untamed. A powerful one, at that. One that we must protect at all costs. The Director wants her, and he will send his best to capture her.”
I shift, unnerved by the sudden attention. Mercy slides her hand in mine, sensing my discomfort.
“We have been plotting and surviving, but our numbers are growing, our network strengthens with each passing day,” she continues. “Together we can end the regime. We can build a world safe for those with powers regardless of their classification. We will not kill those we deem dangerous before they’ve committed a crime. We will not force an implant on those we spare to control them.”
Murmurs of agreement arise. Her words spread like wildfire. Even I am cast in wonder at her ability to command attention.
“We have survived the worst, and now it is time to fight!” Prue yells.
Cheers arise, and boots stomp the ground.
Prue turns to face us.
“Will you join our forces, Haven?” Prue asks. “And become a weapon the Continent fears.”
After everything, a part of me is scared of what the future holds. It was easier to hide undercover, safe from both sides. But my mother would not have stood on the sidelines; even without power, she would have fought.
So, I will fight with everything I’ve got.
“I accept,” I say, my voice steady. “I will not fail.”
