I look at Nova, who won’t even meet my eyes. I turn back to Pax.
“Talk to your people about the rules. Bring everyone who wants to come in back here in about an hour.”
“Can you bring some water for me and Theron?”
“You guys can both come in if you want to. He has to stay in our holding cell and you need to help with cleanup and managing your people.”
Pax rocks back on his feet, his expression stunned.
“Thank you.” His voice breaks and he clears his throat. “I’ll do whatever you need me to.”
“Tell Theron that if he even twitches suspiciously, he’s dead. He won’t be able to see everyone we have watching him, starting when we meet up back here.”
“I get it. I’ll make sure everyone knows your rules.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in an hour.”
Nova is silently seething next to me. I think she feels played by me, which wasn’t my intent.
We start the walk back. Once Pax is out of earshot, I say, “I’m sorry.”
She scoffs. “Oh, you will be. I hope Marcus comes back and fries them all with our shield.”
“You really hope that?”
Nova’s cutthroat, but that’s cruel. I can’t believe gentle, compassionate Ellison would have a partner so merciless.
“No.” She admits it begrudgingly. “I know it’s the right thing to do. It’s just that we’re still knocked on our ass from the volcano, and now this.”
“I know. I’m not looking forward to telling everyone about it.”
“I’ll do it. We’ll do it together, but let me do the talking. They’ll take it better coming from me.”
I glance over at her. “You’re not going to tell them you’re against it?”
“Marcus and I have a rule. We only disagree in private. Once something is settled, we both get behind it, no matter how hard we fought over it.”
I know why Marcus values her so much. Nova doesn’t mince words, but she’s also deeply loyal.
“Thank you, Nova. I won’t forget this.”
A couple seconds of silence pass before she says, “I’m not sure Marcus would’ve turned them away.”
“I don’t know either. I guess we can ask him when he gets back.”
Hopefully it’ll be soon. Things just got exponentially harder for our camp, and also for me and Nova. I came up with the best rules I could think of, but if we have to activate the shield and kill all the Tiders—even the kids—I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive myself.
When things are heavy, it’s good to have Marcus’s broad shoulders to help carry the load. It’s not that I can’t get by without him, but now that I’m used to his strong, steady presence, I don’t want to.
23
“I’ve just established an office of repopulation. Greg Zimmerman is in charge. Reach out to him for help finding women to procreate with.” - Excerpt from a message from New America President Soren Whitman to all military officers
Six Years Ago
Pax
Nothing has ever been impossible for me. I refuse to let this be the first time.
