Morgan rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. “What makes you think you can make requests?”

Samm stood firm, looking more fierce than Kira had ever seen him. “It’s not a request.”

Morgan thought for a moment before answering. “Fine,” she said, dismissing him with a wave. “Exile here is worse than what I had planned for you anyway.” She looked at Heron. “How about you? I’d say you’ve earned your way back into the inner circle, my dear.”

“I’m staying, too,” said Heron.

This surprised Morgan even more. “What about your expiration?”

“I’ll be back east in time,” said Heron, and glanced at Samm. Kira couldn’t be sure, but it looks like they were sharing something over the link. She expected her to mention the Partials trapped in the spire, and thus was surprised at the vagueness her next words. “I have some loose ends to tie up first.”

“Fine, then.” Morgan turned back to the plane, signaling for the soldiers to bring Vale and Kira after her. Kira could see the humans of the Preserve cowering here and there in the background, watching in terror and fascination as this enemy from the sky from the sky took their leader and left them alone.

I have to go with them, she thought. I have to take a step, and then another, and then up onto the plane and away to . . . to I don’t even know. The end. She shook her head. I want to go, but . . . I don’t want to leave.

“Kira,” said Samm, and she felt a tear in the corner of her eye.

“Samm,” she said, “I . . . I’m sorry, I don’t know . . .” She turned to face him, trying to find the right words to tell him what she felt, but she didn’t even know it herself, and suddenly he was embracing her, holding her in his arms, kissing her more passionately she had ever been kissed before. She kissed him back, feeling their bodies melt into each other, lips and arms and chests and legs, a single person in a moment of perfect unity. She held him as long as she could, and when he pulled away to breathe, she pressed her face against his chest.

“I’m sorry for bringing us here, for everything I’ve done,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

“I chose to follow you,” he said, and his voice was deep and rich. “And I’ll find you again.”

They kissed one more time, and then the Partial soldiers were pulling her to the plane. She turned and looked at him from the steps, and he stared back, motionless.

And then the doors were closed and the giant rotors spun up with a hum she could feel in her bones.

CHAPTER FIFTY