I wondered what Mom was doing now. Where she was. If Declan was going to get her to my father. It was what she wanted, and I hoped she’d go. She missed him, even if she didn’t talk about him anymore. She’d never even dated anyone else, although I knew Jorge had a thing for her. There was no reason for her to stay here, even if I was rotting away in jail. She didn’t need to be here for that.

Hopefully, Roan and his family would be better off wherever Declan had stashed them.

Declan. I wasn’t sure whether to be thankful for him or pissed off. He’d popped into my life a few days ago and given me hope. If he hadn’t found me, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess. I couldn’t think like that though. I had to focus on getting through this, whatever this was.

And still, I was left with this gnawing feeling that I’d failed everyone. My mom. Roan. Declan. My father. The Aunare. Two civilizations of people that might go to war. It wasn’t my fault, but it didn’t matter. I should’ve found a way to get Jason Murtagh off of me without smashing his face in. He was touching me and deserved it, but I should have found another way. I should never have let my anger take hold. I’d been so close to getting away from all of this, and now…

Sweat chilled my skin, and I leaned my head against the cold concrete wall. If I’d just had enough control to stop my fist, I’d be at home. In my own bed. Eating my own food. Maybe even escaping with Declan, along with everyone I loved. I could’ve been safe.

I’d wanted a change. I’d wanted off planet. But not like this.

A sob slipped free, and I rolled over, shoving my face into the dirty mattress as I cried my frustration, helplessness, hopelessness away. I knew I wasn’t perfect. I definitely wasn’t an angel, but I didn’t deserve to be here in this cell waiting for some asshole to determine how I was going to live out the remainder of my life. And I definitely didn’t want to be used to start an intergalactic war.

This much pressure shouldn’t ever be on one person. I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want it. All I wanted was to be left alone. To be safe. To be given every other right that every other Earther had.

My heart shattered as I cried and quietly prayed for something—anything—to save me. To find me and take me far away from here. To give me a life where I wouldn’t have to hide or be afraid anymore.

But no one came. No one ever came.

Chapter Twelve