Page 157 of Broken Sentinel

"Your attachment to the Sentinel and the Splinter influences your decision-making," she observes.

"Yes," I admit, seeing no point in denying it. "Does that concern you?"

"Emotional motivation often leads to irrational choices," she says. "But can also inspire exceptional performance beyond standard capabilities." A pause. "I find the variable interesting."

With that cryptic statement, she leaves, the tent flap closing behind her.

Alone finally, I let myself feel the full weight of what's happened. Trent captured. Vex possibly dead. Both sacrificing themselves to ensure my escape, to protect the Haven children and the completion of a mission none of us fully understood until it was too late.

I close my eyes, exhaustion pulling at me despite my determination to act. As consciousness begins to fade, I make a silent promise to both men. I'm coming for you. Whatever it takes, I'm coming.

Dreams bring no peace.I see Trent struggling against Unity operators, fighting to buy time for our escape. I see Vexwounded, amber eyes still fierce as he protects our retreat. I see them captured, processed, used as test subjects for Unity's twisted version of what my mother designed.

I wake with a start, heart pounding, to find the tent dimly lit and a figure sitting beside my bed.

"Lily?" I recognize her silver eyes, glowing faintly in the low light.

"You were having nightmares," she says softly. "I could see them in your energy patterns."

I sit up, noting with satisfaction that the movement comes easier now. My body is recovering, just as I predicted. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than you," she answers with surprising directness. "My patterns stabilized faster after the protocol."

"Reid mentioned that. Something about your perceptive abilities helping you channel the resonance field more efficiently."

She nods. "I could see the flow, adjust my participation accordingly." Her silver eyes study me intently. "You're planning to rescue Trent and Vex."

Not a question. "Yes."

"I'm coming with you."

I blink in surprise. "Lily, you're?—"

"Don't say I'm just a child again," she interrupts with unexpected fierceness. "I've survived Unity's isolation chambers and suppression protocols. I helped rescue Michael. I survived the final protocol when adults didn't."

"I know you're capable," I assure her. "But this mission?—"

"Will benefit from my abilities," she finishes with a raise of her chin. "I can sense modifications through walls, detect Unity operators before they see us, find the fastest routes to avoid patrols. And I can help locate Trent and Vex by their unique patterns."

I sigh. She's right. Her perceptive abilities would beinvaluable for a stealth mission into heavily guarded territory.

"Naomi will never agree," I point out.

"Naomi doesn't decide what I do," Lily says with surprising conviction. "Not anymore. The final protocol was about choice, wasn't it? Well, this is mine."

I study her—this child who's endured so much, who's grown up so fast. Silver eyes steady with determination, chin lifted in defiance of anyone who might underestimate her.

"Okay," I agree finally. "But you follow orders exactly. No heroics, no deviations from the plan."

"Agreed," she says solemnly. "When do we leave?"

"Soon. How long was I asleep?"

"Ten hours. Jo is gathering the team now. Marcus has provided intelligence on Resonance's current security configuration."

I throw back the covers, testing my legs again. Much stronger now, though still not at full capacity. I'll have to rely more on stealth than direct confrontation—not my usual approach, but necessary given the circumstances.

"What about Michael?" I ask, remembering her connection with the rescued boy.

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