Page 140 of Seasons of War
But it seemed too dangerous to wait another hour when the Phaedra would soon make contact with Mom.
“What if you can't get me out?” she asked. “What then? That United soldier said it wasn't possible.”
Grumbling, Zayne crossed his arms. “They're cowards.”
“Growing up, we heard you only leave Ciondo dead. That almost no one has ever escaped.”
“We spend a ridiculous amount of resources on surveillance and facial recognition. You know from your work with the drones how difficult it is to evade our aerial surveillance. Nothing is impossible, though.”
Kira never found a way to avoid detection and hadn't attempted to send drones outside of her sector for that reason.
“I have someone who can mask your chip to get you out of the city, but that doesn't subvert facial recognition.” Zayne hesitated, perhaps considering whether to continue. “I'm one of the few people with access to the facial recognition database, though. We're looking into how we can use that.”
Kira nodded, appreciating that he chose to trust her. “That sounds hopeful.”
“It is hopeful. You don't need to give up. The problem is that once you're reported missing, they'd direct overwhelming resources to finding you and launch an investigation into how you escaped. So, there are two options to get you out of Ciondo. Underground or aerial. Underground takes far longer. Aerial may lead to combat if jets pursue.”
“That's too dangerous.”
“Only for spineless cowards.” Zayne slammed his fist against the wall of the tree, furious glare locked on the ground. “The United can do it. They thought it'd be easier and cheaper to kill you instead.”
The United may not know her or what she did to defy the Phaedra, but she always felt like she fought for them. The liberators of the people tried to kill an innocent civilian. Tried to kill her. Her heart had been broken since being captured, but some attacks cleaved away entire pieces. “I'm not worth enough to them.”
“You are. They just don't know it yet.” Death emanated from his fists and tightly wound shoulders. The crack of Zayne bashing his helmet into that man's nose reverberated through her memory. “I should have used my name. I should have gone in person to make the deal. They never would have betrayed me because they'd know exactly what it's going to cost them.”
Fear clenched her stomach at the unwavering, merciless vengeance lighting his eyes. She'd never seen him like this until the night before. It terrified her. But maybe he was right. Maybe she jumped too quickly to sacrifice her life when Zayne Riven fought for her.
She'd fight for herself though. She wouldn't sit here helplessly hoping for Zayne to save her. That wasn't how she lived her life. There had to be something more she could do.
“I'll give them what they want,” he said, “And they'll help us.”
“If you give them whatever they want, they'll use you until there's nothing left of you.”
“It's fine. I have this.”
Yeah, right. “I trust you'll do anything for me and the Followers, but I know you won't consider yourself. So, you want me to live and go along with your plan? I'm in charge of what happens to you when this is through.”
Zayne smirked, and it stunned her so much that it stole her breath. “Yes, ma'am.”
Raising her chin a little, she shrugged. “I like the sound of that.”
That tension between them hadn't lessened, but she'd learned to breathe through it, except for when their eyes met like that. And she couldn't breathe again.
“I'll consider your wishes,” Zayne said.
“You'll do more than consider.”
“Fine, whatever. The point is the Unitedcanget you out. They didn't want to pay the price. I can handle that and make sure they'll protect you once you're out. We'll try again, only this time, I'm finding my own people, not relying on someone else's.”
“I know someone who can help if we go underground. I trust him.”
“Then I do too.” He folded his arms, looking deep in thought while he stared off to the side.
The first day he came to her at the prison, she really believed he hated her. His eyes were so cold. But he'd been the same man that day as the one who put his life in jeopardy to save her three years ago. The same man who sheltered her from bullets with his own body last night. The same man who furiously planned right now on how to break her out.
If care was measured in action, then Zayne cared about her more than anyone ever had.
Why? Why did he never let her go?
