“Go ahead.” Darai ushered them forward with a hand. Ten armed soldiers joined them, rifles aimed at Androma, the only one not beneath Darai’s compulsion. “Take them inside. Begin the uploading. Aclisia is already there waiting for you, and your trusted analyst will transfer the power from Androma, too. I’ve done all the hard work, Nor. Now you get to have all the fun.”

It would be the end of everything Nor had ever known and loved.

A gunshot went off behind her, but her legs kept moving, obeying Darai’s command as she directed Valen into the looming shadow of Nexus, the group of soldiers flanking Androma.

“No!” Klaren’s robotic voice screamed as they walked away.

Another shot.

Keep walking, Darai’s voice commanded Nor. Do not look back.

Her neck would not turn to reveal to her what was happening behind them. She simply walked, a prisoner without chains as she hauled her brother toward the satellite that would become his grave.

CHAPTER 38

DEX

Well, this isn’t ideal, Dex thought as a dozen angry soldiers surged toward them like a rogue wave.

He and Klaren were just pebbles against their tide. But even pebbles didn’t always budge in the surf.

Dex pulled his second gun free from its leg holster. Against Nor’s heavily armed soldiers, he felt seriously outgunned, but surely he made up for that in training and strategy. He doubted any of these mind-controlled troops were Guardians.

Footsteps sounded behind them.

Shit.

Lira, Breck, Gilly and Soyina sidled up next to him.

“I told you to leave,” he seethed. They each shot him a glare.

“Well, we didn’t,” Breck said, pulling out her own gun. “Deal with it.”

Annoyance shot through him. He didn’t want casualties that could be avoided. “Stop being difficult. Get out of here while you can.”

“Do you really think we’re going to leave Andi behind?” Lira demanded.

Dex would’ve rolled his eyes if they weren’t narrowing in on the soldiers that were almost on top of them.

“Of course not, but she wants you safe. So go!” He shouted the last part as the first soldier lunged at him. Dex dipped away, narrowly missing the butt of a gun to his brow.

Klaren blasted a shot to his head and the man collapsed in a heap. The remaining soldiers paused for a moment, staring at their fallen comrade.

“You take the guys on the right. I got the left,” he said to Klaren.

“Who do we take?” Breck asked.

He couldn’t shake them, and right now, they didn’t have time to argue. “Breck and Gilly, cover Klaren. Lira, Soyina—you’re with me.”