Page 156 of Resurgent

“Who would have thought I'd turn into such a successful murderer in less than a year?"

“You don’t have to do this," Tyr assures me, but I do.

Not just because I’m sentenced to this life, but because this could save countless lives and stops the war.

Chapter forty-six

Annalise

Good morning, Seiri. I hope your day sucks.

Uhm, thanks. You too?

I hope your blanket kept riding up and your feet were cold all night.

Well, that’s rude.

And most of all, I hope your coffee gets cold before you remember to drink it.

You better take that back right now! What the hell crawled up your ass this morning?

Just didn’t want you to think I was being too nice.

Can't wait to see you later, Beautiful.

I love you!

Ismile, turning off my phone before Mattey and I head down worn stairs and into the vault where we'll have to pretend everything is completely normal.

“Welcome, everybody,” Major Lin says, her smile faltering slightly as she looks at Mattey and me.

“If you’d all take your seats, we have more unfortunate updates about the war and not nearly enough time to tell you everything you need to know.”

A small glass vial appears on her desk, a blue liquid that never seems to stop moving reminding me too much of Redline for comfort.

“This here—doesn’t exist,” she says, shaking the bottle for all to see. “It’s just a rumor, nothing more.” Lin makes the distinction deliberately.

“Several captured Clowessian prisoners have mentioned a tonic being developed for use against our forces. The tonic is believed to contain a compound derived from a common southern herb—Sweetroot.”

A few people exchange looks.

“I know what you’re thinking…sweetroot is harmless,” Lin says. “It's used in teas. Tonics. Some medicines. It can help with nausea and mild stomach irritation.”

She turns the vial again.

“But something is being added, and we’re not sure exactly what yet.” Lin's expression becomes colder. “Early reports suggest the combination may cause severe neurological disruption: confusion, loss of motor control, seizures.”

She lets the words settle. “And potentially death.”

My eyes move to Sasha, who’s intently staring at the vial, rubbing her thumb absently against the side of her index finger.

Her hand pauses, and I glance at her, but she gives the smallest shake of her head, and it’s horrifying to think even she doesn’t know what this could be.

Lin continues, “The reason this is particularly dangerous is that the tonic may taste completely ordinary.” She sets the vial down. “You could drink it and have no idea anything is wrong until symptoms begin.”

“And because sweetroot is so common, removing every product containing it from military supply lines would be impossible,” Halden says, and even his voice breaks a little, making a cold feeling settle in my stomach.

“So we're investigating distribution networks, field medicines, captured supplies, and Clowessian prisoner reports. If intelligence confirms the tonic exists, you will be among the first people trained to identify it.” She looks at the class. “But until confirmation, you will not repeat the rumor.”