“No,” I snap. “Not until someone tells me what’s going on.”

A muscle in the general’s jaw twitches. “The king approached us with a peace agreement.”

“And you accepted it. In the wake of what happened, you still accepted it.” I am a hair’s breadth away from losing it.

“The king gave us everything we wanted and then some,” he says.

“Uh huh.” I can feel more hot tears cascading down my face. People are shifting nervously in their seats. The last time they saw me, I was covered in blood. I’m a wolf amongst a flock of sheep.

“Serenity,” the general says, “this peace agreement will save the lives of millions. It’s better than anything your father saw up until the day of his death.”

I let out a strangled cry at the mention of my father. “Why didn’t you include me in the decision making?”

“You weren’t in a sound state of mind.”

I nod, because he’s right. I choke down my pride and vindictiveness. The representatives did what they had to do to ensure the well being of the western hemisphere.

“Tell her,” Will says.

I look away from the general to his son. Will’s hands are balled into fists, and he’s crying as well. Only now do I realize that there might be a reason Will hasn’t tried to comfort me like he would’ve a day ago. There might be a reason why the representatives can’t look me in the eye and why there’s an agreement at all in light of recent events.

“What is it?” I ask, returning my gaze to the general. Dread coils at the pit of my stomach.

The muscle in General Kline’s cheek jumps again. “The king had one condition in the agreement.”

“No,” I whisper. The king wouldn’t—the representatives wouldn’t. There must be one decent person amongst the remaining leaders of the world.

The general’s face is grim. “In return for peace, we’re to deliver you to the king.”

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Serenity

I stare at the general for a moment, not allowing myself to comprehend his words. And then they sink in. Bile rises up my throat, and I barely have time to grab a nearby trashcan before I retch.

Someone places a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug it off. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and straighten.

The general’s still speaking, but I’m no longer listening. I feel my legs buckle, and then Will is there, scooping me up and carrying me back to my room.

My entire body shakes.

I can’t go back.