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I hear shouting. Watchers calling to each other, as though raising an alarm.

I long to look, but can’t risk being seen.

And then I hear something that turns my blood to ice.

My brother’s voice. His panicked shrieks carry over the gentle sound of the waves and the violent shouts of the watchers.

They’ve got him.

CHAPTER 4

The Assembly Will Provide

Ileap from behind the cliff, and I’m met with chaos. I try to take it all in.

Our boat has been dragged onto the sand, either from the search or from the impact of the wave. Eric’s inside it, but watchers are trying to pull him out.

My body moves faster than my thoughts.

“Let him go!” I shout, rushing forwards.

Eric’s head jerks up.

“Ara! Tell them I didn’t do anything. I’ve just been hiding⁠—”

The butt of a rifle slams into his face. I swear I hear a crack. He howls, clutching his eye, and I scream, as if it’s me that’s been hurt.

“You hurt him!” I shriek. I try to get to him – but two watchers block my path. Noticing Vikemy tramping towards us, I yell, “Look at him! Look what they’ve done to his eye!”

Eric lowers his hands from his face. His eye is swollen shut. It’s streaming with tears and blood.

I want to scream. I want to fight the watchers. Make a grab for their weapons.

I want Vikemy dead.

I’m not thinking straight.

Focus.

Vikemy locks his hands together, and speaks slowly and flatly. Like I’m senile. “Your brother is simply being taken for questioning. He was found hiding in this boat⁠—”

“He hides when he gets scared,” I spit. “We grew up in a palace – as you know. He’s never had to deal with sky ships or tidal waves or watchers threatening to shoot him.” My voice rises. “Or blind him!”

I’d thought he’d gone with everyone else to the village. I should have known he might be hiding. If he feels panicked, he finds somewhere safe and warm and stays there. Usually, until I come and find him.

And I hadn’t. Until now.

This is all my fault.

“Your brother has been on this beach since the incident. He may have information about events that we believe occurred following it.”

My chest tightens.

Be stronger than you feel. Strength is a choice. Cosmer said that to me.

“What events?”

“A report was received of an intercepted radio transmission. An enemy soldier may be among us.”