“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” Orion said. “I love it.”
“It would work.” Cass’s voice was thoughtful, the way it got when something made sense to him in a way that bigger things didn’t. “If I came back with someone like Riot whowantedto convert...” He looked at Riot. “They wouldn’t just forgive my failed mission. They’d celebrate it. And Honey helps with welcoming ceremonies for new seekers. She’d definitely be there.”
Dante leaned forward, a crooked grin on his face as he steepled his fingers. “I’ve run operations in Elysian territory. Their psychological screening is sophisticated, but it’s calibrated to catch people hiding resistance—doubt, fear, resentment. It’s not designed to catch someone hiding a rescue mission behind genuine interest in conversion.” He paused, calculating. “If Riot can sell the seeker angle convincingly enough to get inside, and if Cass’s intel on the facility is accurate, the chances are maybe...”
“Three percent,” Orion said quietly.
Dante kissed him on the cheek, and Orion turned bright red.
“That sounds bad,” Cass said, taking his picture back and holding it to his chest.
“Three percent was what we were working with getting away from Gensyn and SVI at the same time,” Dante said, then triedto lean over and kiss Orion again. Orion grabbed his face and shoved him back.
“This is insane,” Lilac said, but she was listening. Really listening.
“Most things worth doing are,” Riot replied.
Granny Lu’s cigarillo had burned down to a stub, the ash threatening to fall into her lap. When she finally spoke, her voice had lost its sharp edge, replaced by something heavier. Wearier.
“I’m not helping you,” she said. “Not officially. Not in any way that leads back to this Collective. You go into Elysian territory, you’ve never heard of Prairie Null. You’ve never heard of me. If you get caught, if they put you in one of their therapy rooms and start taking you apart, you die before you say one word about my people. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” Riot said.
“You wait until you’re both stable.” She nodded toward Cass. “His heat may have broken, but first heats leave a mark. Give it a day to make sure it’s really done. Then you go.” She stubbed out what was left of her cigarillo. “I won’t stop you. But I won’t help you either.”
“I want to go with them.”
Every head in the room turned toward Sage.
She stood with her arms crossed, her expression set like concrete. “If women and men are separated in Elysian territory, having a female operative could cut the extraction time in half. I can access areas Riot can’t.”
“No.” Granny Lu’s voice was flat as a blade.
“A Null convert would be almost as valuable as a Berserker—”
“I saidno, girl.” Granny Lu wheeled around to face her, and there was something almost like fear in her eyes. “I’ve watched Gensyn take people apart with efficiency. I’ve watched SVI break them with brutality. But Elysian?” She shook her head. “Elysian makes people disappear into themselves. Makes themthankyoufor the privilege of losing everything they were. I’m not sending you into that.”
“Granny Lu—”
“This discussion is finished.” The words came out hard as stones. “Riot’s already damaged goods, whatever’s happening with his biology, he’s compromised. But you were raised here. You’remine. And you are not setting foot in Elysian territory.”
Sage’s jaw tightened.
“One more thing.” Granny Lu fixed Riot with a stare that could have frozen steel. “Whatever else happens, you protect whoever goes with you. You bring them backwhole. Not smiling and empty. Not grateful and broken.Whole.” The threat underneath was real and cold. “I’ve buried enough of my people. Don’t add to the list.”
“Understood,” Riot said quietly.
She studied him for another moment, then wheeled toward the door without another word. Lilac pushed off from the wall and followed, pausing just long enough to give Riot a look that communicatedwe’ll talk laterandyou’re an idiotanddon’t dieall at once.
When they were gone, the room felt smaller. Quieter. Dante was watching Riot with an expression that was almost approving—the closest thing to respect the man seemed capable of showing.
“For what it’s worth,” Dante said, “that went better than expected.”
“Your definition of ‘better’ needs serious adjustment,” Orion muttered.
Cass was still standing, the photograph of Honey clutched in both hands, trembling. .
“Hey.” Riot stood and crossed to him, pulling him close. “You did good. Coming out here, facing her—that took guts.”
