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“I haven’t.”
“Even I recognize your voice. You have been listening to us and passing on information to the resistance fighters.”
Octavia sucked in a breath. “Tell me what happened to the others.”
Commander West’s eyebrows rose. “Your companions? I imagine they have been processed in a similar manner.”
“That soldier told me Jude’s dead.” She gestured with her chin toward the scar-faced soldier by the door.
“Then he must be.” Commander West turned and looked at the soldier. “What happened?”
“She was with one of the Ember brothers,” said the soldier. “We had fun with him. He didn’t handle it well. We took the body to the death pit on the south side.”
Commander West’s top lip curled. “I would have liked to have spoken to him.”
“You have the other brother,” said the soldier. “He’ll tell you everything you need.”
Commander West nodded before turning to Octavia. “Your companions are giving us the information we require. Then they will be sent to death. Is that what you wish for yourself, as well?”
“If it gets me away from you, then yes.”
“Foolish female,” said Commander West.
She licked her dry lips. “Are you a Dinnorm?”
Commander West’s eyes narrowed. He glanced at the soldiers. “What do you know about that?”
Her eyes widened. “You are! Does anyone here know what you really are?”
“What I am is not your concern.” His fingers splayed across the table.
“There’s something off about you,” said Octavia. “This form you’re in isn’t natural for you. You wear a human skin like a badly fitting masque.”
“Watch your mouth when you address the commander,” said one of the soldiers.
Commander West waved away the soldier’s words. “I’ve never liked a curious female. I prefer the ones who keep their mouths shut.”
“I’ve never been good at that.”
Commander West’s nostrils flared. “If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll make your death quick, unlike your companions, who are to be publicly executed. We are to make a show of their disobedience. The death of a high profile resistance fighter like Heath Ember will make others pause.”
“Not everyone is tricked by you,” said Octavia.
“We do wonder why that is,” said Commander West. “How are you able to avoid our... manipulation?”
“Because humans are fighters,” said Octavia. “We always find a way.”
Commander West drew himself up to his full height. “No. We know some of you have a fault or a weakness.”
“It’s not a fault if it means you don’t get to manipulate us.”
He tilted his head. “A brain injury, perhaps?”
Octavia tensed as Commander West walked around behind her. His hands rested on her shoulders, before sliding into her hair.
“From the damage on your face, I’m assuming you had some kind of traumatic head injury.” His fingers stilled as they passed over the hard metallic plate on the side of her head.
She tried to yank her head out of his grip, but he held on tight.
