“GO!” I silently mouth to my brother and Arryn. The latter starts backing away, but Riley moves closer to me. I’m just about to give him a warning shove in the opposite direction when he pulls his phone from his pocket and presses it into my palm.

Leaning in until he’s right next to my ear, he whispers, “If you’re ever in trouble, speed-dial one.” He pulls me into another swift, rib-crushing hug as he adds, “I’ll see you again soon. I promise.” And then he’s hurrying after Arryn, the two of them disappearing into the shadows.

I stare after them before realizing that, as far as I can tell, there’s only one exit—the tunnel at the entrance, which is where Keeda and Pandora are approaching from.

Hurrying to tug my shirt and jeans over my swimsuit, I slip the phone into my pocket and ball my bloodied clothes under my arm before making sure Arryn and Riley are as hidden as possible within the dark edges of the cavern. Only then do I yank on my boots and call out, “Okay, I’m dressed!”

Seconds later, Keeda, Pandora, and Jet all come into sight, the three of them in their swimwear, towels hanging over their shoulders.

I move as close to the water as I can, drawing their eyes to me and away from where Riley and Arryn are hiding, hoping the two of them will use the distraction to escape as fast—and as silently—as possible.

“Uh, hey, guys,” I say. “I was just … just talking to myself. Clearing my thoughts.”

They nod as if they know exactly what I mean. I’m guessing Kael told them to be gentle with me after everything that’s happened in the last week. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful I don’t need to come up with a better excuse for why I was speaking when they arrived.

“Looks like you had the same idea as us,” Keeda says, dumping her spare clothes and towel on the ground before dipping her toes in the warm water. Jet and Pandora do the same, and I watch them carefully, nervous sweat trickling down the back of my neck.

“The same idea?”

“Taking a break from the madness of finding this new Speaker group to get some rest and a fresh perspective,” Pandora says, yawning loudly. “Kael has us working around the clock on it.”

“It’s important for our safety,” Keeda says, like she’s reciting lines that have been delivered to her.

“Maybe, but other things are important, too,” Pandora says, yawning again. “Like sleep.”

“I think if they were really bad people, we would have learned about them long before now,” Jet says. “My guess is they’re just like us—just Speakers trying to stay free of Lengard.”

It’s funny how the youngest person here seems to have the most insight.