She backed away the moment I was free, her eyes locked on my face. I frowned. Perhaps she could see the storm of hate still raging inside me. I didn’t care. I had a plan and I had to move fast. I would have to explain later. Reaching down, I untied my feet and took out the knife at my ankle. The rubies glinted victoriously.

I cut three strips of cloth from the hem of Jones’ skirt, viciously ripping the fabric. With the strips in hand, I stood to address my peers.

“Hannibal,” I pointed to the rope Jones had used to bind me. “Use that rope to tie Jones’ hands and feet securely. Covington, find something to use as a weapon—something heavy. If she wakes up, crack her skull. Jetson, watch the door. If anyone comes, lie to them. No one comes into this room without me. East Keep, twist these strips into a braid and secure the ends.” I tossed the trio of strips I’d taken from Jones’ dress onto East Keep’s desk. “Does everyone understand? No one comes in, no one goes out.”

Their mouths gaped like a school of fish.

“Where are you going?” Covington breathed, breaking the silence.

There wasn’t time to explain. “I have a plan and I’ll be back. Wait for me—okay?”

Our eyes met. Hers sparked with rebellion, just as it had that first day of school. She glanced around the room. The others were frozen with fear. Covington’s full mouth began to tremble.

I stepped forward and rested my hand on her shoulder. “Covington.” The command in my voice was undeniable.

She looked back at me. Our eyes clashed.

Trust me, I said silently.

But what if—

Comrade, trust me, I repeated.

She took a deep breath, pulled in her lower lip and looked down at her sandals. When she looked up again, the spark was back, brighter than ever.

I squeezed her shoulder. I knew then that she would be my most loyal general in the war to come.

* * *

A few minutes later, I double-checked the hallway. It was empty. Everyone was in the arena for the Festival. Satisfied, I closed the door of my dormitory behind me. Wasting no time, I moved to the middle of the room and held out my hand. I did not doubt my ability to command the Double Helix. Having bested Jones, I knew the truth of my own vitality. Power surged inside me as undeniable as gravity. The Earth bound me by force of universal law. And I, with an irrefutable strength of will, called my Apex.