Adena glances up at Jeran. “Then we will take care of the front of the hospital. When we draw the attention, Red, you’ll need to get Talin’s mother out.” She narrows her eyes. “Whatever the cost. Do not look back for us. Do not stop. Get her out of there, so that Talin can be free.”

Something in me lurches at her voice. She’s telling me to leave them behind.

“I didn’t go through all of this just to see you all die,” I snap at her.

Aramin tightens his lips. “It was never about us,” he replies. “Get her free. Talin is the only one who has a chance to end the Premier’s life. We’re only here to help.”

I stare back at them. They have survived countless rotations at the warfront, capture in Newage during Mara’s fall, near death in the arena. And yet this is where they might make their final stand, giving their lives to save the mother of their friend.

And I understand it all. Because that’s why I’m here. Because Talin is the one who has gotten me as far as I am. I’m alive because of her. The others followed her in and out of Cardinia. And in the end, she could be the key to changing everything for us.

I nod. Then I place my fist against my chest in the Striker salute. After all, I had taken this oath with Talin. I am her Shield, now and forever, my life intertwined with hers.

“May there be future dawns,” Adena says softly.

We whisper it in unison.

The others scatter into the darkness. As they go, I turn my attention up to the second floor of the hospital. I will get to Talin’s mother, so help me, or I will die killing everyone standing in my way.

As I steal through the alleys between the prison complexes, I see workers stream in and out of one of the giant storage sheds, working through the night to repair a wheel, while more come out of the second one. My curiosity piques, but I don’t stop to watch them closer as I head for the hospital. No time.

Jeran approaches the guards at the front of the hospital, dressed in soldier garb. He speaks to them, bits of his voice coming to me where I am. Flawless Karenese. The guards frown at his words. For a moment, they seem to buy whatever it is that he’s telling them, but then one of them shoves him roughly back. Behind him comes Adena. For a moment, they seem taken aback by her uniform. Their voices echo to where I am as she argues with the guards.

I turn my attention back to the building before me. Then I unfurl my wings as far as I can make them go, wincing at the pain of the movement. With a single, broken push, I launch myself up at the wall and begin to climb.

The agony lancing through my back sends shivers of sweat down my limbs, turning me hot and cold. I continue moving, even as a memory shoots through me and my other voice sparks to life.