Peyton’s head swam. She swallowed. For a long moment she thought she might throw up, or even pass out. Three billion people infected. It was an unimaginable catastrophe. If what happened in Mandera occurred around the world, human civilization wouldn’t recover for decades, possibly centuries. In fact, she had no idea what the world would look like after that. At the rate the virus was spreading, she wondered: Would there be only a few million survivors? A few thousand?

But Conner McClain had created a cure. Was he going to give it to his chosen few? Peyton had to find that cure, for her own sake, and the sake of so many others.

“McClain has a cure. He told me on the ship.”

“It’s true,” Avery said. “They informed everyone on board that it had been administered recently in our routine vaccinations. All employees at Citium companies received it.” She glanced back at Desmond. “Including you.”

He only nodded and glanced out the window, staring at the horrific scene, a hint of guilt on his face.

Avery moved the helicopter inland, away from the city. It was obvious that landing in Mombasa would likely be a death sentence. The helicopter would be mobbed, rushed by people hoping to get out or hoping for help to arrive. And once on the ground, they would find no way out of the city, and no help for Hannah within.

Avery reached under the seat, unfolded a map, and studied it.

“What’re you doing?” Peyton asked.

Avery didn’t look up. “Trying to figure out where to go, Princess.”

“Don’t call me Princess—”

Desmond held a hand up to Peyton. “Ladies. We’re all on the same team here. Let’s talk. What’re you thinking, Avery?”

“I’m thinking we’re screwed.”

“Okay, so nothing new there. What do we need? A satphone and a plane, correct?”

“And a hospital,” Peyton said quickly. She glanced at Hannah, asleep, helpless, taking shallow breaths as she lay in the floor of the helicopter. I won’t let her die.

Desmond spoke before Avery could.

“Right. So, what, we fly along the coast, try to find a city still intact?”

“Dani Beach is close by,” Peyton said. “They’ve got a great hospital and an airstrip. Lots of other coastal towns along the way. Once we cross the border with Tanzania there’s Tanga and Dar es Salaam farther south. Plus the Tanzanian islands off the coast.”

“They’ll shoot us,” Avery said flatly.

“Who?” Peyton asked.