Page 196 of Star Bringer
“I do,” I tell him.
Everyone turns to look at me. “You do what?” Ian asks, a frown on his face.
“I know someone who will go wherever we need them to go. Or at least maybe make a diversion and keep a good number of those guards occupied while we go in and find Milla and…”
I trail off. Like I’ll curse the whole thing if I say my brother’s name out loud.
“Who?” Ian asks.
“The Rebellion, of course.”
He frowns like he’s missing something. “And why would they help us?”
“Because I’ll ask them to.”
“And they’ll listen?” Ian doesn’t sound convinced. “Why?”
“Because my mother is Marlina Orsgood.”
His eyes widen, and he doesn’t respond. I almost pat myself on the back—it’s not easy to render him speechless.
“Who’s Marlina Orsgood?” Rain asks.
“The leader of the Rebellion,” Merrick says slowly. He’s studying me as though I’ve grown an extra head. “The most ruthless leader they’ve ever had.”
Max frowns. “Isn’t she known as the Butcher of Narreth?”
“An exaggeration,” I say, fingers crossed behind my back. She slaughtered a whole garrison of Imperial troops at Narreth.
“And the Slayer of Snolmek?” Merrick adds.
“It didn’t happen quite the way the stories say it did.” Because it was so much worse.
“And what about—” Gage starts, but I cut him off.
“Do you want her help or not?”
“I don’t know,” Ian answers, looking doubtful.
“Yeah, well, it’s not like you’ve got so many other offers. And it’s not like she’ll be gunning for you.”
Ian sits in his big chair, which means he’s thinking about it. I give him time. If I push this, he’ll back off. But really, it’s the only way, and it won’t take him long to figure that out.
“Why?” he says after five minutes of intense thought. “Walk me through it. Why would she help? Why would you ask her to help?”
I lick my lips and consider how much to reveal. “I’m going in anyway. There’s a small chance I might find my brother. Or at least find out what happened to him.”
Kali looks at me with renewed interest. “I thought you said your brother was dead?”
“He is. Well, he probably is. But all this talk about Milla has got me wondering—I mean, she’s made it through. Why not Jarved, too? Which means I have a vested interest in the success of this mission, and so will my mother, for the same reason. She might be ruthless, but she loves us.”
My head is starting to throb again—the painkillers don’t last very long anymore—but I have to persuade them. Because I really do think it’s the only way we can succeed. And it will be my way out of here, whether I want a way out or not.
“Plus a blow to the Wilds is a blow to the Corporation—and the Empire. Which she’s always up for. And if you think the rebels need an added incentive, you can throw in the jewels. They’re always in need of funds.”
“Will you tell her Kali’s on board?” Max asks.
“Not if she doesn’t want me to.”
