Page 150 of Inside the Sun

Ragnar’s face is unreadable as he says,

"Sun, I’m a soldier before anything else. And soldiers don’t share crucial intel with outsiders."

Summer turns toward him.

"Ragnar, I get that. But I’mnota soldier. And I chose to trust Sun. Moon told me there’s a path to happiness for all of us. I believe that if we work together, we’ll find it!"

"Summer, I’ll say it again. Our parents still aren’t safe. If we run now, Ferros will follow!"

"But we don’t have to run right now, do we? Sun won’t tell Anzo about you. We have almost three weeks before Anzo demands that Sun reveals what my power really is. That gives you time. Then Sun can say to Anzo whatever the hell he wants to hear. Only then, the next day or a few days later, we run. There’s a chance Anzo will let Sun go in exchange. And if our parents are safe, we flee."

Ragnar snorts, steps toward Summer, and grabs him by the shoulders like he’s about to shake him.

"That’s your plan? You seriously believe Anzo will let Sun go? And why do you think he wants to know the truth about youso badly? Moon already hinted at it! He wants to use your power for his twisted mafia war! He won’t just let you run away!"

"Ragnar, I can stop him—" Summer tries to interrupt, but Ragnar shakes him, gently, yet firmly, and keeps going.

"If Anzo figures out what you’re really capable of, he won’t stop! I’ve seen it. What the military can do to break minds of militants! He’ll make you comply. You're too valuable for him. He won’t need a single soldier anymore. You alone could wipe out a whole damn army, they wouldn’t stand a chance against you!"

I stare at Ragnar. The words don’t want to register. He is so… matter of fact. Cold. Logical. So… soldier-y.

"This plan isn’t solid, Summer. Too many variables. Even if we run away, Sun won’t be safe. Anzo won't free him, he will take it all out on him… Loosing such a weapon as you? He will be in a very bad mood, for sure!"

I stand up, my whole body tense.

"You don’t have to worry about me, Ragnar. Focus on saving your parents and Summer, that’s why you’re here, soldier! Don’t waste your energy worrying about what Anzo will do to me." The bitterness is leaking into my voice, seeping into every word, tears too, but now they’re angry.

I lift my chin.

"But I’ll say this so you can sleep soundly at night: I won’t run to Anzo now. I won’t say a word about either of you. You’ll have the time you need to save your family." My mouth twists into something sour. "And don’t pretend, don’t fake like you care what happens to me after you’re gone."

These words just pour out of me. I can’t stop them. It’s like something’s broken loose, overflowing. I’m speaking from hurt now, from heartbreak. He’s here for Summer, not me—I'm a danger. That’s it.

I turn to leave the gazebo, I can’t stand being around them anymore, but Summer suddenly spins and grabs my hand.

"Sun, either we all get out of here, or none of us do!"

"You’re a sweetheart, Summer. And I appreciate you caring. But you’ve got your parents to protect. I’ve got a big family. Anzo will kill them all, one by one. I don’t have the option to leave."

I pull my hand free from Summer’s grip.

"You two figure out a plan. Get out of here as fast as you can. I wish you the best."

"It’s not that simple, Sun! Do you remember what I told you about Moon’s power?"

I sigh impatiently, barely holding myself together, avoiding looking at Ragnar.

Summer closes his eyes and takes a breath.

"I talked to Moon on the phone, not long before he disappeared. He said:‘Very dark days are coming. But the only path that leads to your happiness is the one where you follow the Sun.’I asked him what the hell that even meant, and he repeated:‘Follow the Sun, up to the moment you’ll be sure you don’t have to anymore.’"

"I don’t understand any of this," I manage to choke out.

"I think I have to stay close to you," Summer whispers. "Wherever you go."

Then Ragnar cuts in with a grim voice.

"This is insane, Summer. You can't trust Moon’s powers. He used to take drugs, hallucinogens! His visions were never clear, future paths fluctuating. He was wrong so many times!"

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