"Or we keep the advantage, and we're the ones who survive."
"That's not survival." I meet my brother's eyes. "That's just watching everyone else die first."
Reilan is quiet for a long moment. "You sound like Mother."
The words sting. Mother, who died from the weight of this life. Who couldn't handle the violence and fear and constant threat.
"Maybe that's not a bad thing," I say quietly.
"She died, Aoife."
"She died because she had no power. No voice. No way to change anything." I look at Father in that hospital bed. "I have a voice. And I'm choosing to use it."
Reilan is quiet for a long moment. The machines beep. Father breathes.
Then my brother sighs. "You're going to tell William Murphy about Viktor Tarasov and the mole."
"Yes."
"Even though it gives away our advantage."
"It's not an advantage if we all die anyway."
"Father is going to be furious when he wakes up."
"Then I'll deal with Father when he wakes up." I stand, smoothing down my jacket. "Right now, I need to get back to the Murphy estate."
"Why?" Reilan asks. "What's the rush?"
"Because there's a mole. Because someone we trust is feeding Viktor Tarasov everything he needs to destroy us." I look down at Father one more time. At the bandage on his throat. At how close we came to losing him. "And because William needs to know what he's up against."
Reilan studies my face. "You like him."
"I barely know him."
"That's not what I said."
I don't answer. Can't answer. Because I don't know what I feel about William Murphy. Anger? Yes. Frustration? Absolutely. But there's something else there too. Something that flickered to life when he asked how I was. When he apologized. When he looked at me in that towel, like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
"It doesn't matter what I feel," I say instead. "This is about strategy. About survival."
"If you say so."
I head toward the door, then stop. Look back at Reilan.
"Stay with him. Make sure the hospital staff knows to contact you immediately if anything changes."
"I will."
"And Reilan?" I pause. "Thank you. For bringing me the clothes. For the intelligence. For everything."
My brother's expression softens. "You're my sister. I'd burn the world down for you."
"I know." I manage a small smile. "Just try not to burn down the Murphys before I get a chance to work with them."
"No promises."
I leave Father's room and walk back down the corridor. The same nurse from earlier approaches, apologetic.
