I held his gaze. “I know what I’m fighting for, sir,” I said quietly. “I know which side I’m on, and it’s not for Talon or St. George. It’s for change. We’ve been at war for so long we can’t see the truth that’s right in front of us.” I felt Ember’s eyes on me, as well, and deliberately reached over, placing a hand atop hers. “They don’t have to be our enemies. If the Order would give them a chance, and not see them as demons, maybe this fighting can finally come to an end.”

Martin didn’t say anything. He stood there, brow furrowed, as if fighting a silent battle within. Finally, he exhaled, and his shoulders slumped, his next words barely audible.

“Come back with me, Sebastian.”

I started, gazing at him in shock. “What?”

“I want you with us,” Martin continued. “Back at the base. You’re a damn fine soldier, even if you’re not fighting on our side. And you know these—” he paused; I suspected he was going to say things but changed his mind at the last minute “—dragons better than anyone else. I want you to explain what is happening to the rest of the troops, give them the full story, so they really know what’s coming.”

“They won’t believe me, sir. They’re likely to shoot me on sight if I came back.”

“No, they won’t,” Martin replied. “I’ll be there. They don’t have to believe—they just have to follow orders. But I want you to explain it, Sebastian. You know the dragons. Your presence will give us a better chance in combating them. And the men know you. As a traitor, yes, but there isn’t a trooper there who hasn’t heard of the Perfect Soldier. If you are with us, I feel we stand more of a chance against Talon.”

I sat motionless, a heavy weight seeming to settle over me. After Benedict died when I was just eleven, Martin had taken me under his wing. He hadn’t been the mentor Benedict had, but he had made sure I was excelling, doing my best at the Academy. I hadn’t seen him much while I was at school, but whenever our paths had crossed, he’d made certain to talk to me for a few minutes, inquiring about my classes and training, making sure I had everything I needed. He had been another solid, commanding presence in my life at St. George, another reason I pushed myself so hard to become the best. His disappointment in me, in what I had become, was a constant ache that gnawed at me from the inside. But knowing what was coming, that this might be the last time I would see him, was even worse.