Atlas placed his hands behind his back and approached Knot 27. “I need you to come with us. Right now. Once Houston has a chance to remove your memory chips, then I can tell you all you wish to know.”

“Why didn’t you take them out when we first arrived?” Elara burst out, struggling against her bindings.

Both Houston and Atlas kept their lips closed.

Romy’s heart beat wildly in her chest. Could there be a chance she’d been wrong about it all? Devastation pulled her downwards. Lucas. If Atlas was innocent, then she’d killed a man for nothing.

“I can tell you everything once we reach the bunker.”

One thing was bothering her.

Phobos beat her to it. “I hope you’re not implying we take your word for it?” He eyed Atlas with distrust.

Romy’s head gave a painful throb. “Ro?” Elara asked.

She wrung her hands together. “I don’t know whether to trust what they say. I won’t trust him until he tells me everything.”

They were still looking at her expectantly.

“I can’t make this decision.”

“I’m afraid it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. If you don’t follow me, you’ll all die. Your entire knot.” Atlas’s eyes were hard. “They’re behind us. They’re hunting you.”

Shock coursed through her and she welcomed the mental clarity it brought.

“As I said, you can either stay put and get caught by the Mandate in just over twenty-four hours. Or you can follow me to the safe house.”

“I say we do it,” a deep voice said. Thrym?

Romy couldn’t help the sound of surprise that left her. Out of everyone, Thrym trusted him?

Thrym was staring at her from where he sat tied to the tree. Sure. Now that the blood was washed off he could look at her.

“We need more information. . . .” He trailed off, and Romy could see he was thinking hard. Thrym had another reason for wanting to go with the two men. He had a plan. Elara and Phobos were watching him. They nodded at the same time.

“I say we go to this safe house,” Phobos said.

“We’ll come with you,” Thrym said again. “But you will tell us one more thing before we leave.”

Atlas remained silent.

Thrym licked his lips, glancing at Romy.

And Romy understood what he was going to ask. Whipping around, she turned to repack her swag, unable to stand their stares. But her ears strained to hear every word.

“What’s happening to Ro?” Thrym asked softly.

Houston interrupted immediately. “We can’t—”

“No, H,” Atlas said.

“Are you insane?” Houston whispered. “If they ever found out. . . .”

Footsteps approached behind her. She clenched the swag in a death grip as she rolled it.

His voice spoke only to her, though everyone could hear.