Page 111 of Us Defiant Few

“It’s not your fault.” Winnie’s whisper flew on invisible wings, cutting through the pain.

The Chief’s stricken gaze slid to her. “What did you just say?”

“What happened to you wasn’t your fault,” Winnie repeated in a steady, commanding voice. “The man you call ‘Father’ isn’t your father. No parent would ever give their child so much pain. He’s the one who’s different from us. Not you.”

“But how can that be? He’s the one who brought me back and told me that I’m not human anymore.” The Chief’s chin trembled, like she never wanted that to be true.

“Does your heart beat like us?”

“Yes. But even animals have hearts.”

“But when you see someone hurt. When you experienced the sun for the first time. When you smile at your sister, where do you feel it?” Winnie prodded.

The Chief didn’t answer, but her throat bobbed.

“You know what I’m talking about.” Winnie’s eyes glistened. “And wouldn’t you do anything for your home? For your people?”

“Of course.” The Chief lifted her chin.

“You see?” Winnie smiled, untold warmth in her gaze. “It’s not just your memories that kept you alive. You never stopped caring or trying to do the right thing. The human parts of you were what drove you the whole time, and you didn’t even know it.”

Khalani’s lips parted at the power in Winnie’s words, introducing ideas she never dared dream about.

It wasn’t the blood running through her veins or the legs she walked on that made a difference. Maybe it was the connection she shared with Winnie. The way she looked at her friends. The intimacy between her and Takeshi when no one was around that made her the most alive.

The Chief sniffled, sobs tearing through her, like that same growth lived inside her too.

Khalani’s gaze flittered to the ceiling, the answers written above her. And for the first time, she knew what to do.

“What’s your name?” She cleared her throat. “The one you were given before the Great Collapse.”

“Penny,” the Chief whispered. “My name was…is Penny.”

“If you release these bindings, Penny, we can help you.”

Penny paced about the room, her movements erratic. “The last time I told someone the truth, they killed us. Why wouldn’t you do the same?”

“Because Winnie’s right.” Khalani glanced over at her second mother, who gave her a nod, her own eyes twinkling with love and guidance. “Maybe we’re not so different because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my family either. When I was with Ansel, they hurt us for information, but you never did. You sheltered us, saved Winnie when you didn’t need to. I don’t care if you weren’t born in this century. Even when you were given terrible orders, you still did what was right. You’re better than most people I’ve met. So if I have to pick between Ansel’s side and yours, I’m choosing you.”

She meant it.

No one could ever decide their beginning. Or how they left this world. It’s the person they chose to be that made a difference.

Penny studied Khalani and Winnie, testing the sincerity of their words. After a minute, she exhaled heavily, like she’d been holding that breath in for a very long time.

Penny pulled out a pair of bronze keys and undid Winnie’s chains first. When she unhooked Khalani’s chains, Khalani rubbed her wrists and peered up in surprise when Penny extended her hand.

She eyed it for a moment, realizing the impact of what a handshake would mean. But Winnie was right.

A new dawn was coming, and what she chose now would change everything.

Khalani clasped Penny’s forearm.

27

I would endure the pain all over again for the chance to be with you.

Penny led them back to their house where a dozen other guards stood watch outside. Patreus’s mouth fell open when Winnie and Khalani walked alongside her.