“I doubt it,” Mikhail said. “It’s not unusual for a train to stop en route. It’s possible we’re stuck behind some kind of convoy or that there’s an issue with the tracks. We passed the border crossing about an hour ago, so we can’t be more than twenty minutes outside the city. We’re deep in Fraktsiya territory.”

“Listen, I know where Galina is,” I said, struggling to keep my voice level and contain my excitement. “They’re holding her in the morgue car. This might be our only opportunity to get to her.”

With the train locked at a dead stop, I could climb out the train and hurry to the middle cars. Her captors wouldn’t even know she was gone until the train arrived in Eyry, and by then, we would already have smuggled her out.

Mikhail shook his head vehemently. “It’s too dangerous. The train can start up again at any moment, and if we get off now, we’ll never be able to find Koschei.”

His blunt words struck me like a blow to the stomach. It slowly dawned on me. “You don’t care about her at all, do you?”

He looked at me, pained. “Toma, it’s not like that.”

“Mikhail, even if you find Koschei, are you going to sacrifice everything just so you can kill him?”

“This is more than just revenge, Toma. You’ve seen what he’s done—he’s sacrificed these people all in a desperate attempt to maintain control. The only way this bloody insurrection will end is if I take him down.”

“Toma, Mikhail is right,” Vanya added, and I turned to him in disbelief.

“I can’t believe it. You too? I thought you were on my side.” We’d even kissed. Did that mean nothing?

Vanya grimaced. “I’m not taking anyone’s side here, Toma.”

“Really? Because it certainly sounds like you’re taking his.”

“I’m just trying to keep all three of us from getting killed.”

“You know what? Fine.” I swiveled around. “You two have fun with your game.”

“Where are you going?” Mikhail called as I strode across the car.

“Back to the medic’s station. At least there, people actually appreciate me.” I slammed the door shut behind me, glowering at my feet as I crossed down the row of cots. So many things could happen between here and Eyry. So many things could go wrong.

“All clear?” Zemfirka asked as I entered car eight.

“All clear,” I snapped, passing her without stopping.

She blinked. “Where are you going?”

“Lavatory.” I walked to the end of the next car, searching for the water closet I had used on a break between suturing. I found it at the other end of car seven, in a compartment so small I could scarcely turn around in it. Shutting the door, I thumbed the lock and forced the window open. Nets of billowing mist ensnared the train and surrounding pine trees, and the sour tang of wood smoke sullied the air. No sign of patrolling guards.

I stepped onto the wooden toilet seat and crawled through the window feetfirst, grasping onto the upper frame to maintain my balance. The moment my feet touched the ground, I broke into a run.