“We’ve got less than ten minutes to get that gun to work,” Cade said.

His friends stared at him.

“Aren’t you going to address the fact that we’re being attacked because of a choice you made without us?” Grace demanded.

“We can discuss it later,” Cade said.

“No,” Amber said. “That’s what you said last time, and now look what’s happened. We’re going to discuss it now.”

Cade stopped dead, even as legionaries rushed around him, arms full of javelins and heavy rocks.

“I did what I had to,” he said.

“I heard you,” Amber said. “You sent us away, but I heard you negotiating with him.”

“That was to find out where the last trinket was,” Cade said. “And I sent you away because we didn’t all need to be out there risking our lives to find it.”

“You sent us away so we wouldn’t have a chance to stop you,” Scott snapped.

His friend’s face was a rictus of grief, and Cade had no words to defend himself.

“You’ve killed us, Cade,” Scott gasped, his face contorted as he tried to hold back his tears.

“Power went to your head,” Grace said. “Did it make you feel good, playing god with our lives? You’re no better than Abaddon. He’s rubbed off on you.”

Cade blinked back tears and straightened his back. He had to get through this. If they survived … he would let them know why. For now, he would endure their hatred.

Only Quintus looked at him without fury in his eyes. But then, the Codex had no lips for the young legionary to read—had he heard?

“They’re attacking because of me,” Cade said to his best friend. “I bought the bomb. They’re attacking us so we can’t use it against them.”

Quintus shook his head and clasped Cade’s shoulder.

“If we win this,” Quintus whispered, “it’s over. We all go home.”

“We didn’t ask for this,” Yoshi said. “You’ve jeopardized more than our lives. Our planet is at stake. Our friends, our families. Our species.”

Cade lifted his chin and turned away. “We have Cantelo’s gun,” he said. “Quintus, come with me. And anyone else who still believes in me.”

He pushed past his friends down the steps, where Quintus had brought the box. It was made of aged leather, and Cade knelt beside it to undo the straps that held it closed.

Only Quintus followed him.

Not even Amber left the ramparts, her back to him as she wiped tears from her eyes. He did not know if it was their rejection or the pain he had caused them that hurt him the most.

CHAPTER

57

Cade glanced at the timer, pushing his despair from his thoughts. He had a job to do.

00:06:12

00:06:11

00:06:10

The box lid eased open. Inside sat an ugly tube of black metal, alongside a large tripod and two metal boxes.

“Help me,” Cade said as he struggled to lift the heavy tripod, which unfolded creakily with a reluctant screech. There was a red dusting at the hinges, and Cade groaned at the sight.