“Help her.” He looks around at their faces. “All of you. You’re our family, and I’m counting on you.”
When his gaze lands on Pax, Pax shakes his head. “I’m staying with you. I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t help you save those kids.”
“Stella’s gonna turn the shield back on,” Marcus says.
The color drains from Pax’s face. I stagger, the power coursing through my veins making it hard to see and hear what’s happening around me.
“We take them out,” I whisper. “Every one of them. Then I can go get Mae.”
Marcus’s eyes are pleading when they lock onto mine. “If we take them all out, Island Three will send more soldiers. Everyone ...” He shudders, another seizure hitting. “Everyone left here will suffer. Go, while you still can.”
“We have to move,” Pax says to Marcus. “One of us needs to get the kids while the other one takes the shield out.”
“Out?” Nova scowls. “You’re not taking it out.”
Pax glares at her. “None of the Tiders who are left want to hurt you. They didn’t ask for this life any more than you guys did.”
“He’s right,” I say. “The only way through any of this is together. It’s all of us against New America, not us against each other.”
The ground shakes hard enough to make us all scramble to keep our balance. Marcus’s face is twisted with anguish. His connection is volatile, fueled by his powerful emotions.
“Save Mae,” he begs me. “Let me do this knowing ... you’re on your way to her.”
“Can you pass for the clone?” Ellison blurts.
Everyone turns to her.
“The rest of us will take care of the kids and the shield. Pretend you’re him. Get Ingrid alone and kill her. Then order all her soldiers to return to Island Three.”
After a second, Pax says, “It could work, if they think you’re the clone.”
“And it could have worked without you killing yourself!” I say fiercely.
“I’m going after the kids,” Pax says. “Do you know where they are?”
“Stay here,” I say, a plan coming together in my mind.
Marcus is shaking, barely able to stay upright. I know the deep, thunderous cracks echoing from the other side of the island all too well—the volcano is coming to life.
I take a deep breath, calming myself. If I can get myself under control, it will help Marcus get himself centered, too.
I face him, blocking out everything but the two of us.
“Find a peaceful place inside yourself,” I tell him. “Let go of the rage. Focus, so you can convince Ingrid you’re the clone.”
Looking into his eyes, I take his hands. “You can do this, Marcus. It’s not a physical battle, it’s a mental one. You can save so many lives by controlling your mind and your feelings.”
He inhales deeply, closing his eyes. The ground stills. His shaking slows. It stops.
I put my palm on his chest and say, “Go. Get Ingrid alone and take her out. Tell her men she ordered them to release the kids and go back to their island.”
He opens his eyes, nodding.
I look at Pax. “You and Olin go to Ingrid’s boat. Stay hidden. Be ready to go after the kids if this plan doesn’t work.”
They both take off.
Marcus gives me a soft, quick kiss. I force myself not to let my emotions burst into flames again. I want to hug him and scream at him at the same time. But not now.
