She let out a groan, as if she could not believe the stupidity of the man standing before her. “You idiot!”

“Hear me out. Do you recall the name Svana?”

Dane’s brow grew tight with thought. It took her a minute to pin it, but she had heard that name. “Half a year ago you reported Svana was the name of Shepherd’s lover... the woman who attacked Claire.”

“Yes. Tonight Shepherd’s Follower offered Claire’s position in exchange for the location of this woman. He claimed she’d gone rogue, said she was looking to unseat Shepherd and take his power for her own.”

It sounded like a very scary parallel to a woman neither of them trusted. “Tell me you did not betray Leslie Kantor’s position.”

“I didn’t and I don’t have to. The man gave me Claire’s location anyway. Basement corridor 7, sub-room 3.”

Brigadier Dane shook her head. “He lied to you, Corday.”

“No.” Vehemently, Corday disagreed. “I don’t think he did. Look at it from a broader picture. They know the attack on the Citadel is imminent, he told me so himself. He also told me they understood there was no real way to completely stop it. They know you and I are key figures of the resistance, because they have been watching us all this time, but they don’t know where Svana is. She outmaneuvered them, manipulated us, and I don’t have to go where Leslie Kantor hides for Shepherd’s Follower to find her. I only have to show up on the front lines, her soldiers will take me straight to their leader.”

There was something massive Corday had missed. Brigadier Dane closed her eyes and let out a weary sigh. “If they know rebels are going to attack, the virus will not remain inside the Citadel. All the casualties and structural damage will be for nothing.”

Which is why Corday had run here. There was one, terrible option. “If we tell them what we know, we can minimize both of those factors.”

It wouldn’t work, and Dane was wise enough not to play right into their hands. “If they thought you had any relevant information, the Follower would have taken you. We know they are not above torture. More importantly, Leslie has been clever in compartmentalizing her forces. Both of us lack details on the attack.”

“I know the intended detonation point of at least six of the bombs. We know the names and faces of the men and women chosen to wear them.”

After a moment of thought, Dane was solemn. “If you were to do this, to betray the rebellion, no matter your reasons, you are condoning Shepherd’s rule. As it stands now, the rebellion still has some power.”