I don’t need to ask to know he’s replaying the scene in his head, over and over again. His young sister falling into the Queenstrial arena. To her death under all circumstances. But Mare didn’t die. She was electrocuted on camera, but she didn’t die.

“She’s alive, Shade,” I tell him, turning his face to mine. “You saw yourself, she got up and ran.”

“How is that possible?”

Now is not the time to appreciate the joke. “I asked you the same thing once.”

“Then she’s different too.” His eyes darken, sliding away from my face. “And she’s with them. I have to help her.”

He tries to scramble to his feet, but the shock has not worn off. I help him back down as gently as I can, letting him lean on me.

“They’ll kill her, Diana,” he whispers. His voice breaks my heart. “They could be doing it right now.”

“Somehow, I don’t think they will. They can’t. Not after everyone saw her, a Red girl surviving lightning.” They’ll need to explain first. Come up with a story. Just like the stories they used to cover us until we made sure they couldn’t anymore. “She planted a flag of her own today.”

Suddenly the alley feels too small. Shade levels a glare, one only a soldier could muster. “I won’t leave my sister there alone.”

“She won’t be. I will make sure of it.”

His eyes harden, mirroring the resolve I feel inside.

“So will I.”

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN DECODED

CONFIDENTIAL, COMMAND CLEARANCE REQUIRED

Day 2 of Operation LIGHTNING.

Operative: Captain REDACTED.

Designation: LAMB.

Origin: Summerton, LL.

Destination: COMMAND at REDACTED.

-Op under way. MARE BARROW made contact with WHISTLE WILL and BONES in ALBANUS, oathed to SG. SHADOW leverage successful.

-Operative MAIDEN will act as her contact within HALL OF THE SUN.

-Operative STEWARD made contact regarding new asset for recruitment inside HALL OF THE SUN, will explore further.

RISE, RED AS THE DAWN.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

VICTORIA AVEYARD was born and raised in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a small town known only for the worst traffic rotary in the continental United States. She moved to Los Angeles to earn a BFA in screenwriting at the University of Southern California, and stayed there despite the lack of seasons. She is currently an author and screenwriter, using her career as an excuse to read too many books and watch too many movies. You can visit her online at www.victoriaaveyard.com.

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