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“He had to die,” Brighton says.
“He’s already in prison, where he deserved to rot,” Prudencia says.
Brighton throws the flaming heart over the balcony. “He will rot. His body will, at least.”
“Bloody hell,” Wyatt says as he looks over the railing. “I strongly believe that we should bounce up out of here, as Emil would put it.”
He’s right; I can’t get into some argument with Brighton right now. I help Ness up and he’s bleeding so much; I wish Eva had come along after all.
If we phased through the wall right now, we would find ourselves underground or even underwater, so we’re climbing the steps with Brighton peeking out at every level to see when we’re safe to escape. Prudencia keeps blowing the whistle to attract Maribelle and Tala, and I have an ear out for them, but nothing.
“I should search for them,” Wyatt says.
“Please stay with us,” I say. I can’t start this all over again.
“But—”
“No, we’ll wait for them at the top.”
I don’t know how much time we can offer with Ness bleeding out, but we’ll do our best.
We go up the next level, and guards behind wand-turrets are rapidly firing spells down the path we need to go. Brighton’s eyes burn as he steps out and everything shoots right through him. He’s drawing all the attention on him long enough for Prudencia to telekinetically deflect the spells back into the turrets, damaging them all.
“I’m slowing you down,” Ness breathes. “Just go.”
Too many people are trying to play hero right now.
I ignore him and notice across the tower that inmates are fighting guards who are blocking one of the entrances. One celestial casts funnels of water while another throws lightning, and they electrocute the guards right as one is setting up a gleam-shield; individually these celestials might be subdued, but united they’re a force. This revolt isn’t surprising given how abusive these guards are known to be, literally forcing them to fight each other.
Every single Bound needs the full-blown investigation that Sunstar stands for—stood for?
Then more horror strikes—the inmates bust down the door and run back into the world. How many are innocent and how many are guilty?
Gas creeps out of the high ceiling vents, and I wrap my headband around Ness’s face and cover my nose.
“We’re leaving,” Brighton says.
“I’m not leaving without Tala,” Wyatt says.
“You think you’re not,” Brighton says. He grabs Wyatt’s arm and drags him through the wall. He returns by himself. “Emil, you’re both next.”
I shiver as my brother touches me, horrified by how heartless he seems. I take a deep breath on the other side of the wall, so relieved to have escaped the Bounds. Wyatt cursing Brighton’s name instantly reminds me that we’re leaving people behind. Brighton and Prudencia phase out. Brighton runs for the boat and Prudencia does me the great favor of telekinetically carrying Ness, who looks like he’s floating through the air.
“Wyatt, Wyatt, we got to go,” I say, grabbing his wrist.
“Tala is still in there!”
“They might still escape, but I need your help now. I think we have to fly Ness back to the Sanctuary fast or he might die.”
“Gleam Care can sort him out.”
“Everyone thinks he’s a criminal, and being broken out of the Bounds isn’t going to make him look innocent. Please, I know this is so selfish, but I can’t let Ness bleed out on this island after everything.”
Wyatt rests his hand on the wall as if he can feel his way through it before turning away and running toward our crew.
I hate that he’s choosing me.
I catch up, watching as one inmate flies into the air toward freedom as others run into the river and begin swimming. Some gleamcrafters are making a move for the boat, and Brighton dashes ahead, attacking them with fire-bolts until they are laid out or back away.
