Page 155 of Coldwire
“He has no path in,” Poppy says. “Only you do. NileCorp will benefit more having you under their watch than sacrificing you. For as long as you can develop into their promised weapon, they will take you back.”
My teeth are starting to chatter. I clamp them together, then barely grit out, “I can’t take them down by merely returning.”
“You can, and you will.” Poppy puts the tracker into my palm. Closes my fingers around it, then turns my hand over to hide the object. “We have people planted already, plans in motion. We only need someone on the inside.”
I would be joining a rebellion under NileCorp’s nose. But I would have to use Kieren as my tithe.
“I’m not who you think I am.”
“Maybe not,” Poppy says plainly. “But Nik Grant, Kieren Murray—whatever you want to call him—he’s pretty clear about his goals, last I heard. If you don’t take your chance in, you’ve failed him. He would forgive you for making use of him. He would offer himself up if he knew. Wouldn’t he?”
I don’t answer her with anything more than a glare. I don’t need some random woman telling me what Kieren believes in. I am human because I had Kieren to grow up alongside.
Which means, unfortunately, every version of medoesknow what every version of him wants.
NileCorp, burning. NileCorp, engulfed in flames hotter than their worst crimes.
I look away.
“It’s up to you, ultimately,” she says. “You don’t need to accept the Coalition’s offer. You can stay in Medaluo with your friends. But you must understand that you would be giving up your fight against NileCorp. They will continue Indisposing all the people upcountry they don’t like, and it’s only a matter of time before they get to your father. He’s been holding strong in the real. But how much longer does he have?”
The lights return. I flinch, taken aback by the bulbs. It’s too much at once, and I can’t even move my hands to cover my eyes. The tracker sits heavy inside my palm.
“I’m glad to hear that you will consider our offer,” Poppy says, her tone changing entirely when she stands. “In the meanwhile, we will get you set up safely.” She straightens her jacket. Walks to the door.
“Wait.”
Poppy turns around.
“How long has Medaluo been watching us?” I ask. “Since I saw you in Threto?”
She raises an eyebrow. “With our cameras, did you really think we wouldn’t notice you entering the country?”
But the Medan government didn’t react. They bided their time. It’s not as though it would have served them to take Nik Grant prisoner the moment they identified him landing within their borders. He had come looking for something. So they, too, waited until Offron to swoop in, once he had it.
“If that is all, you’ll have to excuse me,” Poppy says. She tugs open the door. The hinges offer a long, low squeal. “It’s your choice, Lia. How you act here dictates the fates of two countries—and the world that shapes after them.” She steps into the corridor. “I’ll go get someone to release you now.”
50
Just as Poppy promised, Medaluo’s soldiers take us to a safe house. They transport us in vehicles with nice seats, then hold the doors open when we’re exiting. Kieren was riding in the car behind me, and I seek out his gaze as soon as I step onto the sidewalk.
He nods to assure me that he’s fine. No bruises, no beatings. Like me, he was given a new set of clothes: plain civilian fashion, a white shirt and black trousers. Regular sneakers, fit for a park jogger. We aren’t being held captive.
“This way, please,” one of the soldiers says. “We’ll be guarding the perimeter, so don’t you worry.”
I follow the path. They open the front door for us. Someone calls a warning to watch my step when the floor sharply descends at the entryway. They close the door behind us.
Then:
“Did it work?” someone calls down the hall.
My breath catches. “Rayna?”
She walks into view, her arms folded. “It’s Miz now,” she says carefully. “You already got used to it. No need for backtracking.”
Each step she takes closer to me is cautious, apprehensive. Then I openmy arms and Miz must see something in my gesture that is comforting enough, because she dives in, so rapidly that I barely have the time to brace.
“Hi,” I breathe. “Hi. It’s me.”
