“Oh,” says Vale. “I know what you did—trying to tear us apart. I’m not here for you.”
Eames tightens his grip on Piper. The girl is shaking so hard I can hear her teeth rattling.
“Persephone,” says Vale. “Come here.”
Oh shit, shit, shit.My pulse is a painful throb behind my ribs. Soclose. I was so close to saving Piper, to getting her and Eames out of this. But it’s falling apart now—and I can’t see a way out.
Piper’s eyes widen, but she still doesn’t move. Her gaze flicks to me, as if in silent question.
Vale gives me a look that is all ice and steel. “Take off your ringware, wraith.”
I hold up my hands, palms out. Then carefully, I slip my ringware from my middle finger. My hand feels oddly bare without it.
“Visor, too,” says Vale.
No.The word pulses through me strong as a second heartbeat.No, no, no, no.
I can’t. I can’t take it off. Not here, not with—
“Take—it—off.” There is a click as Vale raises her gun. Not toward me—but Nonna.
My stomach lurches.
“Wait,” I gasp. I reach up and unhook my visor from behind my ears. I pull the visor away. I keep my face lowered, angled away from the others.
“Toss both over the railing.” Vale nods at the glass barrier only a few feet away. With a grimace, I do as she says. My visor will undoubtedly shatter, but the ringware might survive a three-story fall.
“Now,” says Vale. “You go and get my daughter. Bringher to me.” Her mouth twitches into a grim smile. Having me—the source of so much irritation and trouble—be the person to deliver Piper is the ultimate victory.
“And if I don’t?” I keep my gaze on the floor.
Vale doesn’t hesitate. “I shoot the old woman. Then, if you refuse again, Will. Refuse a third time, and I kill you last. Then I take Persephone anyway. And I kill everyone in this building, just to remind the world what happens when you come after me.” She holds up her right hand, where her silver ringware gleams. With it, she controls the building. All it will take is a few gestures for her to start killing people.
So long as she has that ring, she has all the power here.
I rise to my feet. I know she’ll make good on her threats.
I turn toward the others. They’re clustered close together, with Eames standing protectively in front of them. Nonna’s hands are on Piper’s shoulders, keeping her firmly in place.
The only way to save them all is to be Vale’s instrument.
I take a step toward them. Every moment is both too long and too short—I need more time, there’s too much time, and I can barely form a thought.
Then Eames is in front of me.
“Augusta,” he says softly. It’s a question and a plea, all rolled into one word.
There are no barriers between us now—no glass visor, no lies, no hesitations. I reach out and place a hand over his heart. “Trust me,” I say, so quietly I can’t be sure he hears me. I can feel his heartbeat beneath the cotton of his shirt.
He doesn’t answer, but his head twitches in the barest of nods.
I step around him. Toward Piper. Toward Nonna.
And Nonna sees me.
No visor, no mask.
Just me.
