Page 76 of Cage of Starlight
“Because you tied us together.”
“Yes. I have enoughhotheadshere—” at this, he flicks a glance first at Judge, then at Iri “—that caution is second nature. I didn’t knowwhat state you’d be in when you woke and wanted to prevent others using their abilities to harm you or you doing the same to harm us.”
Tory grumbles under his breath. Just because it’s reasonable doesn’t mean he has to like it.
“Luckily, my conversation with you in Ms. Belmin’s caravan made it quite clear that you’re just the sort of person I’m looking for, though I’m not especially pleased that you’ve arrived with company. Wasn’t this the Box-dog who dragged youbackwhen you were so close to freedom? I don’t understand why you’ve allowed him to live.”
The old anger surges through Tory, but it simmers down just as quickly. “He’s—” What is he? Discomfort knots in Tory’s gut. Sena is a fool, unwilling to defend himself, but he’s also protected Tory, over and over, even when he didn’t have to. Even when protecting Tory meant hurting himself. He’s an ally, dangerously close to becoming something almost like a friend. Tory can’t make himself say any of those things, so he says only, “Sena’s on our side.”
Riese’s expression is bone-dry as he drops down on the box Judge was sitting on when Tory first woke. At eye level now, he pins Tory with an unblinking stare. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“I would.”
Riese scoffs. “You’ve let themdomesticateyou.”
Tory bares his teeth. “I didn’t let them, and I sure as fuck won’t let you.”
Riese laughs.
Judge steps in, still glaring, but his knife, at least, is nowhere to be seen. “It doesn’t have to be him. We can find someone else.”
“Give him grace,” Riese says. “You’ll see what I saw in him soon enough. We’ll sharpen him up again. As for the other one . . .” Riese’seyes flick to Sena. “I’ll have to ask you to keep your dog in line, Tory. Some things, I fear, freedom can’t fix.”
“Maybe some things are none of your fucking business.” It settles, with a dizzying lurch, that Tory would have agreed with those words mere days ago. They hit wrong, now, stirring anger in Tory’s gut. “You’re acting like I’ve agreed to whatever it is you want me to do, but the way I’m hearing it, youneedsomeone like me.”
Riese looks away into the woods. “We do, yes. Very much.”
“Then it sounds like all the power is in my hands.”
“Yes, well. Your hands are a little tied up at the moment, aren’t they?”
At Tory’s incredulous scoff, Riese laughs. “I apologize. We’ve lost many, many lives to people like yourSenahere, and it’s made us crude. We have an active mission and we’re missing an important piece of the puzzle. We’d greatly appreciate your assistance if you’re willing to render it. I’m sorry for treating you this way. The purpose of the bonds was to keep things civil until I’d had a chance to speak with you. We’ll untie you momentarily.”
“And what’s to keep me from walking away when you do?”
“Curiosity?” An elegant shrug. “The things we could do together, we’d rewrite the way this whole country works. You’d change everything.”
Tory bites his lip to keep from showing how good that sounds. “That’s all about what I can do for you. What can you do for me?”
“You mean aside from freeing you and other Seeds from Westrian control?” Riese waves over his neck. “To start, we can help withthis. I know someone who’s had . . .moderatesuccess removing Cores. She’s the only Reacher in the country who freelances for the right price. I’m sure you’re eager to be rid of that thing.”
Giddy relief surges through Tory. He crushes it down before it can spread. If there’s someone out here who can remove their Cores,they won’t have to go back at all. “When? As long as it’s still installed, they can track us.”
Riese shakes his head. “They can’t. We have something that . . . I suppose you could say it prevents them from getting close. They won’t find you as long as you’re with me, and the tracker won’t matter for long. Once it’s removed, we’ll destroy it.”
“Butwhen?”
“Soon. I know you might be in a bit of a hurry, but I’ll need to arrange things with our Reacher and carve out enough time for safe removal.”
“What do you need us to do, then?”
Something glows in Riese’s eyes, bright as flame. He clicks his tongue. “I don’t think we know each other quite well enough for that yet, Tory. But I swear to you, I’ll share the details as soon as I can. For now, I can tell you this: the things we can do together—Westrice has had us on the run for years. With you, we can finally fight back. The future I imagine would see us all free.”
Tory forgets the ropes as Riese leans close.
Hiding has kept him alive for so long, like medicine that breaks a man to give him breath—but Riese is offering a chance to strike a blow against all the people who’ve kept him under their thumb. “I want it,” he whispers. Then, louder: “Let me help.”
Riese laughs. “Excellent. Let’s get you out of those ropes, then. Iri, if you don’t mind?”
