Not because of the guns.
Not because Sentinel is surrounding us underground like shadows waiting to strike.
Because of Clay.
His hand is still against my face.
Warm.
Steady.
Real.
And after everything Wu just said…after every horrifying piece falling into place, that’s the thing unraveling me the most.
Because I want to believe him.
God, I want to.
Wu watches us in silence for several long seconds.
Studying.
Calculating.
Then he sighs softly.
“You always did attach quickly once emotional imprinting activated.”
The words slice straight through me.
I jerk away from Clay instinctively.
Pain flashes across his face so fast it nearly breaks me.
Not anger.
Hurt.
And that somehow feels worse.
“Hannah,” he says quietly.
I can’t breathe.
What if Wu’s right?
What if Sentinel built this into me somehow?
What if every feeling I have for Clay…
every moment…
every touch…
every heartbeat…isn’t even mine?
Wu steps closer slowly.
