Page 120 of To Avenge a Fallen Star

He wiped it away with his free thumb. “I’m just glad you’re alive and you’reyou. That’s all that matters.”

Gemma’s chin trembled as she pressed her lips against his. She never imagined anyone could capture her heart as much as he had, but she would forever praise the stars that they’d sent him to her.

Someone coughed, and Gemma opened her eyes to see Imara and Hawk standing in the doorway. Hawk’s left eye was covered with a sleek, black patch, and Imara was dressed in shorts—where a prosthetic leg had been fitted below her right knee.

Gemma lifted her mouth off Christian’s. “What in the blazes happened to you two?”

“Well,” Imara started, “I am now a bionic woman, and Hawk has decided to go by the name Patch.”

He glared at her. “I absolutely didnotagree to that nickname.”

Imara stuck out her tongue at him, and he playfully shoved her into the door frame.

Gemma smiled. She might not be totally human anymore. But at least her friends—no, herfamily—would still be by her side.

“What happens now?” she asked.

Christian cast his eyes to the floor as Imara looked to Hawk to explain. Gemma’s pulse spiked; the machine attached to her beeped louder and faster.

Hawk rubbed the back of his neck. “Shortly after the battle ended in Zion, there was an attack on Oranos. Rami thinks it was retribution for the Systems winning here on Reva. And, uh...” He flinched. “Your sister led it. We think she’s in charge now.”

Gemma’s throat tightened. “How many...?” She couldn’t finish the sentence. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know how many lives her sister was responsible for ending.

“More than half the station,” Christian answered, his voice pained. “The rest are evacuating to here.”

Gemma squeezed her eyes closed, bile churning in her stomach. She pressed her fist against her chest.

“And there’s now a”—Hawk cleared his throat—“a bounty on your sister’s head. I’m sorry, Gemma.”

A tear slipped from her eye. It wasn’t too long ago her thoughts had been consumed with finding Nadine, hugging her, hearing her tell Gemma how much she loved and missed her. But now...

Hawk and Imara flinched when Gemma opened her eyes, the mirror next to them showing Gemma’s eyes flash purple.

“My sister died the day she left for Zion.” Her nostrils flared. The girl Gemma no longer recognized had manipulated her, shattered her heart, and darkened her soul. And now, she’d murdered hundreds of innocents. “Stars help me—I will make sure Nadine pays.”