She glances at Riley, and he presses a kiss to her forehead before telling her, “I’ll come back with you. While it may have become a front for Kael and Jeremiah, the Remnants have done solid work over the years and they’ve looked out for each other. It’d be a shame to dismantle that completely, not when the right leader could really make a difference.”

Arryn says, “We’ll explain everything that happened, try to keep them all calm, and figure out who might be best to take over.”

“You could do it, you know,” Smith says to her. “I’d back you.”

Arryn sends him a smile but only says, “We’ll see. I’m not sold on the whole catacombs thing. I miss the sun too much.”

I can’t tell if she’s being serious, or if she just doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with leadership. I wouldn’t blame her if it was the latter.

“And you, Alyssa?”

The soft words come from my mum, as if she’s unsure what answer she wants to hear.

I look around the group, from Enzo to Smith to Arryn to Riley. I can’t find it in me to look at Ward, to see if he’s waiting for my response, but my eyes do lock on Cami.

She looks nervous, as if she’s worried about my response now that my mum and brother are in front of me. But I didn’t lie to her when she asked me what I wanted. And I haven’t changed my mind since then. If anything, I’m more certain than ever about the future I want to play a part in, about the dream I want to help create.

I turn to my mum and say, “I want to spend time with you and Riley. I want to make up for the years we’ve lost.” From the corner of my eye, I see Cami’s shoulders slumping, I see Ward’s body lined with tension. Until I continue, “But before that, I need to go back to Lengard.” I don’t dare take my eyes from my mum as I finish, “I want to help make things right there, and I think the best way to do that is by working together. So I’d like … I’d like to work with you and SCARS”—I shift my gaze from her to Arryn and Riley—“and I’d like to work with the Remnants. All of us, building a brighter future for Speakers everywhere. Together.”

When I look back at my mum, there are new tears in her eyes. But they’re not tears of sorrow or pain—they’re tears of pride.

“I’d like that, too, sweetheart. Very much.”

My lips tremble as I return her smile, as I walk into her open arms and she hugs me again, whispering in my ear that she’ll see me soon.