Something flickered beneath the amber gleam of Masika’s irises, a fleeting moment of bitterness.Good, Irene thought.Hate me.But then the bitterness melted away, blotted out by the familiar look of benevolence that made Irene’s skin crawl. Because how could Masika possibly look at her that way after everything Irene had done? How could Irene deserve anything less than pure and unfiltered hatred?
Masika gripped the iron bars tightly, eyes locked on Irene’s. “You won’t hurt me.”
Dread settled over Irene upon hearing the certainty in Masika’s voice.
“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”
“Yes,” Masika whispered, a startling conviction blazing in her voice. “I do. And despite that…you are still my friend.”
Irene staggered backward. She clenched her hands into fists, chest heaving as her breaths came quick and ragged.
“Don’t.”
“Don’twhat?” Masika gripped the bars even tighter. “Care?Come on, Irene, would it truly kill you to know that you matter to someone?”
Irene shook her head, distancing herself even further. She wouldn’t entertain this. Shecouldn’t. Not unless she could guarantee Masika’s loyalty, somehow convince her to join the Order. But there was no telling how much time they had left. If Irene wanted to try to explain things to Masika, she’d have to act fast…and she’d have to compromise her mission.
Screw it.
Irene extended her arm, constructing a sound barrier around her and the cell. Masika looked on, confusion riddling her features, as the pale blue shield sprouted around them, a sphere of hazy light igniting the air.
“What are you—” But Masika’s voice was drowned out as Irene interrupted her, the words tumbling out in a frenzied panic.
“I need you to hear me out before you say no,” Irene began, gripping the iron bars of the cage. Masika’s eyes darted to Irene’s hands for a brief moment before flitting back up toward her face. “I know you think I’ve betrayed you by joining the Ascended. That I was willing to sacrifice you—all of you—forthis. But I didn’t.”
Masika shook her head. “I don’t understand—”
“During the Decennial, I was approached by a Demien.” As soon as the words left Irene’s lips, she saw the glimmer of panic flare behind Masika’s eyes, but Irene continued, determined to make her understand. “He wanted me to join him so that I couldhelp him infiltrate Blackwood from the inside. I became an Ascended to go undercover. To learn how to weaken Blackwood’s defenses and help the Demien Order take Silas down.”
An indecipherable emotion washed over Masika’s face. “Why are you telling me this?”
Irene dipped her voice down lower, a pleading strain wavering her words. “You could join us.”
Masika shut her eyes, grimacing. “Christ, Irene—”
“He could help you,” Irene cut in. She was practically begging, she knew that, but that wouldn’t stop her from trying. Not when this might be the last opportunity she had left to save her friend. “I know you hate the Demien Order—I know you think they’re all evil and soulless—but they have their reasons. And the Demien I’m working with could spare you from being sacrificed. He could find a way to save you, and the others, but you need to pledge your allegiance to the Order—”
“I don’t want to be a fucking Demien!” Masika bellowed without warning, the venom in her voice startling Irene into silence. “Don’t you understand what they intend to do when they quote-unquote wipe the slate clean? It’s not just Silas they intend to destroy—it’s every single student. Every innocent soul.”
“But—” Irene grimaced, pushing away her own rising doubt. Whether or not she would ever admit it out loud, the price the Order was willing to pay for justice had always left a sour taste in her mouth. But it didn’t change the fact that Blackwood needed to burn for its transgressions. “It’s for a greater good. The afterlife is suffering because of what Silas has done. The only way that corruption can be cleansed is if we rip it out at the root.”
Masika shuddered, horrified.There it is.That was the look Irene had been waiting for.
The real way Masika felt about her.
“God…” Masika shook her head. “Maybe Emilio and Olivier were right. Maybe youarebeyond reach.”
Irene winced at hearing their names spoken out loud. When she’d seen them in the forest, when she’d known they might be destroyed by their arrows, Irene had been unable to ignore the current of sorrow that rushed through her chest, warped by the short-lived joy at seeing that they had somehow survived the Decennial.
“They made it…you know.” Irene noticed the way Masika’s eyes lit up for a brief moment, unable to hide her instant relief. “After we brought you back here to the dungeons…the others weren’t able to find the rest of your group in the forest. I convinced them it was pointless to keep searching.”
Masika scoffed. “If you want my thanks, don’t hold your breath.”
Silence settled over them as Irene met Masika’s withering stare. There would be no reasoning with Masika, no convincing her. Not now, at least. But time was ticking, and despite Irene’s determination, there was no denying that her window of opportunity was closing, and soon, her only friend would be gone—forever.
Suddenly, the clatter of approaching footsteps echoed behind Irene, the familiar rumble of voices bouncing around the walls of the dungeon.
When Irene glanced back at Masika, she saw the panic in the other girl’s eyes. The fear she concealed so well. Because as strong as Masika made herself out to be, Irene knew, with unwavering certainty, that she was terrified.
