Page 97 of Cage of Starlight
“Then we go and meet them,” Spark says. “Travin and I can zap at least a few of them before they hit us with a dose of that shit, and even if I can’t zap ’em, we have guns.”
“And show our hand? They have communicators. Do you want to bet our whole mission on the hope that they won’t be able to call out for reinforcements, won’t hit one of us with Null and capture us while we’re in too much pain to move? I know everyone here would promise me their silence, but believe me when I say theywouldmake you talk. We can’t face them head-on.”
Chest tight, Tory says, “There has to be another way out.”
“With our supplies? We’ve got cliffs on two sides and freezing ocean beyond. Woods to the third. There’s only one road out. Travin could ’port us in small groups, but he can’t ’port the wagon. We’d have to leave most of the supplies behind, and we can’t risk losing the upper hand they give us, not now.”
Shouts in the distance, drawing closer. Iri’s eyes dart to follow them, fists clenching.
Riese hunches forward. “We have to give them someone to chase so we can slip away when they’re not looking.” He trails off, examining each silent, pale member of his group.
Sena is the first to speak. “Send me. My presence compromises everyone’s abilities, and I’m injured and can’t travel well on foot.”
At his words—so casual—Tory’s heart leaps into his throat.
He opens his mouth to object, but Riese beats him to it, eyes darting between Tory and Sena with a conflicted expression. “I can’t let you do that.”
“Damn righthe can’t!” Tory blurts.“What’re you thinking?”
Tory startles as Travin ’ports in beside him. He didn’t even notice him leaving.
“They’re close,” Travin says, breathing labored. “We don’t have long.”
Riese scrubs a hand over his face. “Damn it!”
“I’ll be the decoy.”
Iri.He stands, shoulders squared. Why are all the decent people suicidally reckless?
“That’s ridiculous,” Tory says. He waits for the chorus of agreement, but it doesn’t come.
“You know what that entails.” Riese’s voice is solemn, steady.
“I’m not afraid to give my life for a cause I believe in. I’m the one who drew their attention. I should be the one to divert it.”
“Iri . . .” Riese moves toward him but runs into a rifle. It skids and clatters over the wagon’s bed. He stops.
“You know as well as I do I’m the only real choice. I’m the newest to the group and the least prepared to help you execute your plans—and look at me.” He gestures over himself. “I’m exactly who they’dexpectto see out here. You would have volunteered me if I hadn’t.”
Riese looks away. “Travin. ’Port him out and get your ass back here. Iri, I—it’s unfair of me to ask you to do this. If your father were here, he’d kill me for allowing it.”
“Then don’t allow it!” Tory says. Surely Riese can’t be serious.Irican’t be serious.
“No one’s letting me do anything. I’m choosing it.” Iri’s expression is cocky, but Tory can’t help noticing the feverish desperation in his eyes, the press of his teeth into his lips. He’s too young to throw himself away. “But you know what, you bastard? I’m taking a rifle with me.”
“I’d expect nothing less. Burn ’em down.”
“That’s the plan.”
“If you take ’em all out and need a ride, light something up and we’ll swing by.”
Iri shrugs. “Nah, might head to the Box and get started without you instead. It’d serve you right.”
Riese smiles, reaching to ruffle Iri’s long hair, but then his expression hardens. “If they overpower you—”
Iri’s chin goes up. “I won’t let them.”
“I know. But Iri, I can’t put another weapon in their hands. Soifthey overpower you . . .” Riese stops, fighting a grimace. He looks straight into Iri’s eyes. “Don’t let them take you alive.”
