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It was the only missing piece, but Perry’s instincts told him to abandon that part of the plan.
“Seriously? You think I can find four pilots right now?” Soren said in disbelief.
Perry caught Aria’s eye. “We’ll have to figure it out later. ”
“I’m setting off the alarms,” Soren said, as they passed the equipment room from earlier.
Within seconds, the wail of sirens exploded into the air. This was part of their strategy for leaving. The alarms would signify a breach on the Komodo’s north side, where they’d just been. They hoped the diversion would draw attention away from the Hover they were about to steal on the south side.
As they reached the heavy double doors that led outside, Soren stopped short. He cast an anxious look behind him. “My father’s in here somewhere. ”
“Soren, you can’t go back,” Aria said. “You have to fly us out of here. ”
“Did I say I wouldn’t? I just thought I’d see him. I thought—”
“Think later. ” Perry handed Cinder to Soren and moved to the doors. Not sure what they’d run into outside, he drew his gun and nodded to Roar. “Go. I’ll cover you. ”
Roar released Kirra. “No. I’m staying here. ”
For a moment, Perry couldn’t make sense of what Roar said. Then he scented Roar’s temper, scarlet, burning, bloodthirsty, and knew he hadn’t misunderstood.
“I’m not leaving,” Roar said. “I’m not going until I’ve found Sable and watched him die. If I don’t end this, he’ll come after Cinder again. He’ll come after you and me until we stop him. You have to cut off the head of the snake, Perry. ” Roar pointed down the corridor. “The snake is in there. ”
Perry couldn’t believe what he was hearing. They were seconds away. Steps from making a clean escape. “This is about revenge and nothing else. Don’t act like it isn’t. ”
Roar spread his hands. His pupils were wide, flashing with feral energy. “You’re right. ”
“You won’t change anything by going in there. You’ll only get yourself killed. I’m ordering you, Roar. I command you as your lord, and I’m asking you as your friend: don’t do this. ”
Roar replied as he backpedaled, retreating into the hall. “I can’t let Sable get away with it. He has to pay. And I’m already dead. ”
Then he spun and rushed back into the depths of the Komodo
.
15
ARIA
Aria sprinted after Roar.
She didn’t know how she planned to stop him. By talking to him? He wouldn’t listen. By force? He was stronger. She only knew she couldn’t let him go. She wouldn’t let him face Sable alone.
Perry knocked into her shoulder, shooting past her. He thundered down the hall, gaining on Roar with every step. He’d knock Roar out and it would break her to help him, but she would. No matter what, they couldn’t leave Roar here.
Perry had almost reached Roar when he came to a sudden halt. Instinct speared through her. Her muscles locked and she came to a shuddering stop, confused until she saw the corridor beyond them fill with Guardians.
They aimed weapons at Perry and Roar, shouting, threatening, unleashing a barrage of loud demands.
“Down, down, down! Weapons on the ground now!”
Aria drew her gun as she saw five, six Guardians, and still more filing into view. Too many of them. They were trapped. The realization crashed through her.
Then she saw Roar leap at the man closest to him.
Perry followed in the next instant and suddenly it was chaos, a jumble of limbs, swinging and kicking.
She raised her pistol, searching for a clear shot, but the corridor was so narrow and she was using her left hand. She couldn’t risk hitting Perry or Roar.
