Vic had fallen asleep leaning against my shoulder, and Theo held tight to my other hand. I didn’t know what we would be walking into, but the small bit of information we’d been given was that Kuros was safe, and the Reeks had been pushed back into the Void thanks to the help of a few Sweepers.

  “I don’t know what I’ll say to him,” Theo said, his voice quiet beside mine. We had squished into the back of the shuttle, finding a seat on a hard metal bench against the wall. Buckles dug into my back.

  “What do you want to say to him?” I asked.

  Theo was quiet for a moment. “I want to say I’m sorry I wasn’t there… when my brothers died defending our city. That I’m sorry I left him, left the family when I should have been there.”

  “There was no way for you to know what would happen.” I squeezed his hand. “And you went through so much on your own. I doubt any of them blame you.”

  “I blame me,” he said.

  “If you had been there, where would Vic and I be right now? There is no way we would have survived any of this alone. We needed you, too,” I said gently.

  Theo looked down to our interlaced hands, bringing them up to his mouth as he kissed the top of mine. “I needed you, too.”

  “Don’t feel guilty, don’t blame yourself,” I said. “The stars sent you to me, and I am so thankful they did.”

  Theo smiled, leaning down and placing a kiss on my forehead.

  The shuttle began to lower. I only knew this when my ears popped. It paused and moved straight down before landing softly. The door of the shuttle opened, and people began filtering out. Vic woke with a little yawn. She didn’t have the same scared look on her face I remembered. She was familiar, yet she seemed entirely different to me now. She’d been through so much in only six months apart, and she wasn’t this scared girl I had to take care of. She was more than capable of doing that all on her own.

  We were the last to exit the shuttle. Theo refused help from any of the guards, but he leaned on me as we made our way out. I squeezed Theo’s hand. Guards in red and black uniforms led the genetic kids into a large building. Glass walls covered one side and melted seamlessly into grey and gold stone before curving back into glass. Through the windows I could see long, wide hallways leading through what I assumed was the Palace. We were on top of a wall at least thirty stories high. Down below, inside the wall’s protection, were smaller buildings and houses currently abandoned. The edge of the roaring dark blue sea spread out in the distance on one side, and the deep green forest on the other. The wall we stood on separated us from both.

  “It’s beautiful,” Vic murmured, her eyes travelling up the first tower, connected by glass bridges to the next, forming one large square. A curved roof sat atop the building at the center of the four towers. It, too, was a mix of old and new architecture. A bridge connected this wall to the main doors where everyone was walking.

  “This is amazing,” I said.

  When I moved to take a step towards the others, Theo stilled at my side. I glanced up to him, finding him staring at two people a few feet away. They didn’t wear any fancy robes or a crown. Though this city seemed to be built on ancient traditions, they wore simple black clothing with hints of gold and red in the stitching and accessories.

  They were staring at Theo, too.

  I noticed the similarities in their hair first, all three of them had the same jet-black color. The woman wore hers pulled back in a sleek, long ponytail falling down to the middle of her back while the man kept his short and neat.

  They took a step towards us, and I felt Theo’s hand tremble in mine. I gave it a squeeze and that seemed to wake him up once again. He took a step towards them.

  I let him go, Vic and I keeping a close distance behind as Theo limped towards his parents. His mom put a hand to her mouth, and the tears she seemed to be holding back spilled over.

  “My son,” Theo’s father breathed, and he took him in his arms, wrapping one arm around his back and the other pulling his head into his chest. He wasn’t much taller than Theo, but still he fell into his father’s arms and held tight.

  His mother was still weeping as she pulled him into her, and the three stood together for some time holding each other.

  “You’re injured,” his dad said when they’d finally pulled away, and he noted the blood and limp.

  “I’m okay,” Theo said.

  His father ordered the two guards beside him to get a healer immediately, and they sprinted off towards the towering castle before us. His dad wrapped an arm under Theo’s shoulder and took the weight from his one leg.

  Theo had given this up for me. He’d stayed in the DEZ when he could have been home with his family. And now, he was home.

  They were just turning to head towards the building when Theo waved me over. “This is Sienna and Vic.”

  His mom took my hand and pulled me into an embrace. I was so surprised by it I just stood there awkwardly until she pulled back. “It’s so lovely to meet you two,” she said, hugging Vic next.

  Theo’s dad shook our hands, but his eyes hardly left his son, and he kept his grip on him tight, as if he didn’t know for sure if this was real.

  “Let’s get you inside. You all must be hungry and tired.” Theo’s mom directed us towards the Palace.

  All the shuttles had been emptied, the last to exit being Caspian and Em who slid past us with hardly a hello. I was quick to note Jayla wasn’t with them, and I wanted to ask what had happened, but they disappeared so quickly I didn’t get a chance. The genetic kids had been led up inside the castle where they were welcomed with open arms. Near the front steps, Leanna and Petra stood waiting, the latter giving Theo a little smirk.

  “Welcome home,” Leanna said.

  And though I knew the words were meant for Theo, I couldn’t help but smile. This place felt like home. And even if I knew it wasn’t all over, we were finally back together. The three of us, as it always should have been.

  We were home.

  SIENNA

  We’d only been in Kuros for a week, but the three of us had already fallen into a familiar routine. Theo’s leg was healing, and he could keep pace with us as we searched through the city and explored where he had grown up.

  The enormous wall surrounded Kuros just as Cytos, but you could walk along the edge and see everything from so high up. I leaned against the stone barrier, peering over the edge to the empty streets. Vic stood a few feet away, her gaze fixed on the ocean in the distance. A crisp breeze from the sea pushed my hair away from my face and sent a shiver down my spine.

  This close to the ocean and being farther south than Cytos meant we wouldn’t see snow for another month at least, but the frigid air chilled me to my bones and I shivered, tightening the sweater around me.

  Theo stepped up behind me, wrapping his arms around my body and leaning his chin on my shoulder.

  “My father said only the western edge of the city saw any damage, but most of the citizens have been brought to the castle just to be safe.”

  “How many people can it hold?” I asked, staring up to the towering building in the distance.

  “A lot.” Theo shrugged. “It was built to withstand any attack and protect every citizen here in Kuros. Before the war, they said the people here hadn’t been prepared, and my ancestors wouldn’t let that happen ever again.”

  It was still weird to hear Theo talk about his family and the history he knew so much about. I had thousands of questions, as I often did, but I took my time just enjoying the moment of peace. I knew it wouldn’t last.

  “Have Caspian and Em left yet?” I asked.

  Theo nodded, and I felt Vic turn her attention to us. She, too, had settled in to this new reality. No one telling us what to do or forcing us to be something we didn’t ask for. Vic hadn’t said much about her time in the Void, and I respected her enough not to probe, but she’d told me a little about her time with Caspian and how he’d saved her. And about Gunner, how he’d helped her and pulled her out of some dark place.

  “They’ll head back to Eres and hopefully come up with a plan to get Jayla back,” Theo said.

  Em had hardly spoken a word to anyone outside of the few requests she gave Theo for information on Kuros or anything his father might have on Grayson. What he could provide was slim, but he did so without question.

  “They’ll get her back,” Vic said, her voice soft and dreamy.

  “I hope so,” I said, taking a long breath before I straightened and slid out of Theo’s grasp. “Show me where you used to spend your time outside of the castle.”

  Theo crossed his arms over his chest. “I wasn’t allowed out of the castle very much. I was a genetic kid, and the older I got, the more that became clear.”

  “Oh come on.” I nudged him. “I’m sure you managed to sneak out a few times.”

  Theo smirked and gave a little shrug before he finally conceded and began leading the way. The wall wove around the city in an uneven pattern, following the line of the trees on the outside. I did my best not to look out to the forest, to the Void not far away in the distance. The Reeks had been contained there, and we were told that for now we weren’t at risk, but how long could it last? Eventually, they would break through the wall again; eventually, they would come seeking out blood. The Sweepers of Eres were still facing them, still pushing back those who escaped so many months ago. Only a few hundred wreaked havoc over nearly half the country, and there were still thousands to face.

  Guilt poured through me every time I thought about it. We should have been there fighting with them. We should have gone to Eres with Caspian and Em but we hadn’t. I wouldn’t even suggest it to Theo that he leave his family, not now, and I wouldn’t take Vic into harm’s way ever again, even though I knew she had changed and she could take care of herself. It was hard to forget there was a time when she wasn’t strong, when she needed my help. Mostly, I just wanted both of them a chance to breathe, even if it wasn’t for long.

  Part of me argued we deserved to relax for once, to take a breath before things went south again. I’d spent the last seven nights in Theo’s arms, curled up against his bare chest listening to his heart beat, and I didn’t want to give that up. I wouldn’t give it up.

  When we reached the edge of the wall lining the ocean, Theo took us to a staircase along the outside I hadn’t noticed before. It led to a small landing overlooking the waves crashing below. Mist sprayed my face as water slammed the sharp rocks.

  Theo took my hand and sat on the edge, his feet dangling over the side. I sat beside him and Vic joined us.

  “This is where I used to go,” Theo said softly. “I’d sneak out and watch the sunrise any morning I could.”

  I gazed out over the ocean. The sun was setting, and the orange and magenta streaks bounced off of deep blue waters. Only the sounds of the waves and the chirp of birds sounded. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath in. Vic took my hand, giving it a light squeeze and leaning into my shoulder. This was home, my family. It didn’t matter where we were or what we faced. As long as we had each other, we would survive.

  JAYLA

  I sat silently in the room I’d been left in for more than a week now. It was made of steel, like a prison. The door locked from the outside and only a too-small cot and crate I used as a table filled the space. They only fed me once a day, leaving me little water so I was weak and drained, and they hadn’t provided me with a blanket or a change of clothes. I reeked like sweat and piss.

  We were back in Cytos, that much I knew, but what Grayson would do with me was still unclear. She hadn’t met me since we got here.

  Simon had given me up, but none of that mattered. The lingering pain was still there, but Caspian and Em were safe. Even now as I rolled onto my side on the rock hard cot, I stifled a cry as the still-broken ribs ached. Simon and I both understood what was at stake here, and what we would have been willing to risk to keep the people we loved safe. He’d risked his own life to get us out, to get his son safe. I’d seen the burns coating his body and instantly knew what he had done.

  We had arrived at the underground train station eight days ago, the same place we’d snuck into, and though I’d seen them take Gunner and Simon into the building, I’d been left entirely alone until now. I wasn’t even sure Simon was still alive.

  The door creaked open and a guard stepped forward, securing cuffs around my wrists and pulling me to my feet. I didn’t bother resisting. Even in my current state, I could easily pick these locks or use the chain to take down the guard, but I had to bide my time and get more information.

  He shoved me out the room where three more guards were waiting, including Leah—Em’s sister. Her face had nearly healed, but three claw marks marred her cheek on one side. I wondered who’d given them to her.

  She led the way down the empty hallway. My bare feet were soundless against the cold metal floor, and I found my knees weak from the injuries and lack of food and water I’d been provided. Still, I kept my head high.

  Leah led me down a set of stairs and through two more hallways before stopping in front of an open doorway. I glanced inside and found Governor Grayson and Dr. Allard waiting for me.

  The side of Grayson’s face was still red and looked scarred. Allard must have cleaned up the wound enough she’d heal. I was happy to see she’d wear the permanent scar forever.

  A guard pushed me into the chair before them. Grayson sat at a desk while Allard stood.

  “If you’re going to kill me, just get it over with. I’d rather not listen to you drone on and on before I die.” I rolled my eyes.

  Grayson smirked, placing her hands on the desk between us. “My brother is under the impression you would be useful to me, that you held a secret I’ve been looking for.”

  “Simon lies.” I shrugged.

  “Does he?” Grayson’s brow arched. “That’s too bad. I guess you are rather useless.”

  I lifted my chin and narrowed my eyes.

  “Unless.” Grayson paused. “Unless you lie?”

  I shrugged. “Don’t we all?”

  Grayson leaned forward, her elbows digging into the metal table. “It won’t matter once I’ve let my army loose. And I will find out what you’re hiding, even if I have to carve it from your brain with my bare hands.”

  “What army?” I smirked. I trusted Caspian and Em to get those kids out of there. I’d seen the shuttles before we left Black Prison.

  “The one your friends have so graciously placed exactly where I need them.”

  My heart began to thunder. I glanced to Allard for only a second, and his stone expression told me what I instantly suspected… we’d been played.

  “Your friend Theo… he’s rather important,” Grayson said. “And he provided the perfect opportunity to get me exactly what I needed, exactly what I couldn’t easily do myself.”

  “Which was what?”

  “A ride for my pets,” Grayson said, sneering. “You think you stole those kids from me? No. All you did was place my pawns exactly where I need them, so I can move onto the second phase of my plan and get rid of the Reeks once and for all.”

  The air in my lungs felt nonexistent. It now made sense why Grayson had ordered her guards not to shoot the shuttles… She wanted them to take the kids. My pulse sped up.

  Grayson cackled. “I am always one step ahead of you, because I have been here before, and I know your move before even you do. So you will help me, and you will do so willingly or unwillingly, it makes no difference to me. But in the end, you will lose, and I will always win.”

  I shook my head. “You won’t win,” I hissed.

  Grayson laughed again. “I already have.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re alone. You have nothing. You are nothing. And you will die just like the rest of them when I’m done with you.”

  “I don’t need anyone’s help to take you down,” I spat.

  Grayson smirked. “Looks like it.” Her gaze draped over me, over my broken and weak body. “You will tell us everything you know, because if you don’t, they’ll suffer.”

  My brows creased, and I glanced to Allard who kept his expression like stone, but a small flinch told me he knew something.

  “You can’t touch anyone,” I said.

  “Can’t I? No doubt your friends will be planning some heroic rescue to get you back,” Grayson said, her eyes narrowing. “I have ways of ensuring they end up exactly where I want them. They will never find you.”

  “No,” I breathed. I felt my hands shaking.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll have a welcome mat spread out for them when they arrive.” Grayson smiled. “And then we’ll see how much you suddenly remember, unless of course you wish to just comply now.”

  I glanced again to Allard but kept my mouth clamped shut. I didn’t know what she wanted to know, what Simon thought I knew.

  “Next time maybe.” Grayson shrugged and nodded to a guard who pulled me to my feet. I tried to fight him, tried to lunge for Grayson, but I was so weak, just as they had planned.

  Everything felt as though it was crumbling down. I had to warn Caspian. I had to somehow get a message to them. They would come for me, I knew they would, but they’d be walking into a trap.

  We’d been wrong, we’d been so horribly wrong, and now Grayson had those kids right in the line of fire. I’d seen what the altered genetic kids could do to a Reek, but I’d also felt what one of them was capable of. Leah wasn’t just the best fighter I’d even been up against, she was impossible to beat and under the control of Grayson. Those few kids could destroy the entire city of Kuros if they wanted to.

  Leah didn’t follow as the guards led me down the hall, but I heard another set of footsteps following behind. The guard shoved me in the room, my shins connecting with the edge of the small cot, and I barely caught myself before slamming to the ground. Someone behind me reached for my wrist, using a small key to unlock the cuff around it, then the other.