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“It’s not the size that matters.”
“But the skill,” Silas huffed, as if this were an argument they’d had before.
I tried to grasp the concept that they’d known each other since they were children. I’d never known anyone that long. Habitats had a tendency to lose people and shuffle them. At the time, I hadn’t understood why, but now I saw it as a way to ensure we didn’t get too comfortable.
“Those sloppy bombs and attacks have led me to believe you haven’t improved,” Sebastian taunted, tossing his helmet to the side so that it landed with a dusty thump. “Perhaps to make our fight more fair, I should tie one hand behind my back.”
A huge insult, judging by the mottling of Silas’s face. “One hand. None. Doesn’t matter. You’ll still lose.” Silas’s grin sent a cold shiver through me. “Because, unlike you, I didn’t come alone.”
“You’re right. I left my Enforcers in the city. Seemed a waste to bring them when they had important things to do, such as rounding up your rebel friends. Is it a good time to mention they won’t be showing?” Sebastian’s lips held a slight upturn. “As we speak, they’re now guests in New Banff’s cells, awaiting judgment.”
“There is no way you found all of them,” Silas boasted, but beads of sweat spoke to his worry.
“We’re at thirty-four and still have a few operations ongoing.” Definite superiority and a hint of smugness. “Give up, Silas. It’s over.”
“Never.”
I didn’t move quickly enough to escape the grip on my hair that dragged my body over to serve as a shield for Silas.
Sebastian spread his hands. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“I finally found something precious to you, haven’t I?” Silas yanked, and I gasped.
Sebastian’s features tightened. “She has nothing to do with our disagreement.”
“Doesn’t she? Once more, you get everything, a woman who is breeding your child, who forgives you. When is it my turn?” Silas spat.
“Harm her, and you will suffer.”
“Try and harm me, and I will kill her and the baby,” the coward said from behind me.
“And to think I was going to offer to let you die quickly and painlessly.”
“So my choice is dying or dying?” Silas chuckled. “Not before her.” The knife suddenly pressing against my throat had Sebastian finally appearing uncertain.
“Let her go.”
“I think not. I think your breeder and I are going to leave this place. Might be time to find another city. One that is ready to overthrow its masters.”
Silas took a step back, dragging me with him.
“It won’t matter where you go. I will find you.” A dark promise.
“Will you? Because you haven’t thus far, no matter your boast. Just think, in nine months or so, when your child is born, it will look upon me as its father. I will teach it. Raise it to hate you. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate irony if, one day, your own flesh and blood was the one to assassinate you?”
The plan horrified me on so many levels.
And it proved untenable to Sebastian too.
He raised his hands and dropped to his knees. “Take me in her place.”
Stunned didn’t describe my reaction. “What are you doing? No, Sebastian.” I couldn’t let him do that.
“As if I’d be so dumb as to believe you’d trade yourself for her.” Silas snorted.
However, looking upon Sebastian, I had no doubt he would.
And Silas saw it too. “Holy fuck, you really would do anything to save her.” His disbelief had the knife dropping away from my neck.
The distraction gave me an opening. I jabbed my elbow hard into his gut and snapped my head back, too, smashing into his jaw.
When Silas cried out in pain and released me, I ran.
