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“And take away the power of the people who are ruining our lives,” Julie added.

“Change the rules,” Miles murmured, without breaking the intense eye contact.

The pain reached a new peak and I knew that I was now looking at him desperately, sending entirely the wrong signals.

“And maybe find out what happened back then,” Larissa continued, getting up. “Or do any of you want to continue living with the lies of our families?”

I couldn’t take it anymore. Miles was breaking me from the inside, with his mere gaze. He was here to break me.

I tried to concentrate. “We’re not scientists or rebels who…”

“We are the epitome of rebels, Emely,” Miles muttered, dragging me back into his hold. “Just the fact that you’re here and not at home with…”

Him. Where I should be.

“…with your pack.”

And there they were again. The feelings of guilt.

I betrayed them all.

Shit. What had I done? How far had I gone?

“Besides, we have advantages that the others didn't have.”

With growing nervousness, I looked at Bayla.

“Such as?”

Was I seriously looking for arguments that could convince me?

Bayla nodded in Julie's direction. “Julie actually has knowledge from research, has connections to the DLSC, and she can hack.”

“Wait...” Julie said, somewhat uncertain, but Bayla was quicker.

“And Larissa and Miles can discreetly get us information through the DUIO.”

Larissa nodded in agreement, while Miles raised his eyebrows.

“On top of that, we have connections. With a little luck, we could find out more about back then if we look into the remaining ex-members of the Dragonfly Society.”

Bayla sounded as if she had already worked out some concrete plans. And look into was just a euphemism for snoop around.

“In other words, more risky plans,” Miles commented with a melodic undertone that suggested he couldn’t wait to break more rules and cross more boundaries.

“That's the only part I would consider,” I said quickly. “But starting a secret society?”

Bayla spoke up again. “We don't want to start a new one, just continue the old one.”

“Just think about what you could get out of it,” Miles pointed out. He seemed genuinely intent on convincing me. A warning sign I should listen to. I didn’t. “You could completely change the structures of the pack. No one would do anything with you against your will anymore. You’d be free.”

Freedom was an illusion that came at a price.

But what if he was right about one thing? What if I could change something about the Code, so that female Senseque after me – who, unlike me, weren't willing to sacrifice everything for the pack – would be protected from infringements on their freedom, and so that all the harsh death penalties could be reformed?

But how? How did they imagine that would work?

“There's no guarantee,” I sighed, hoping I didn't sound too desperate. The chaos Miles had wreaked on my emotions had softened me over the last few weeks.