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They huddled on the floor for a couple of minutes before Parisa turned to her. "I need to know something," she whispered, "in case we don't make it out of here."

Kyra put a hand on her sister's bent knee. "We're going to make it."

"But if we don't," Parisa persisted. "I need to know the truth. You're not really Kyra's daughter, are you? You look the right age but that doesn't match your story about your years in the resistance."

Kyra opened her mouth, then closed it again, the mixture of hope and dread in Parisa's expression making the lie stick in her throat.

A noise at the front of the store saved her from having to answer.

Kyra turned around, crouching behind the pile of debris with her weapon drawn. Parisa remained where she was, her gaze still fixed on Kyra.

"We are related differently," Kyra whispered, the truth spilling out despite the dire situation—or perhaps because of it.

Parisa's breath caught. "Then who?—"

The tarp covering the entrance rustled, and both women froze. A shadow moved across the papered window—someone peering inside, trying to see through the covering.

Kyra ducked lower behind the debris, keeping her weapon drawn.

Her pendant burned against her skin, the heat now almost painful. The broken door was pushed open, but then the sound of screeching tires and shouting erupted from the street outside. The shadow at the window disappeared as the Doomer turned toward the commotion.

"Diversion team has engaged," Yamanu's voice reported through the comm. "Kyra, now is your chance. Slip out and head to the service alley."

"Copy that," Kyra confirmed.

As they squeezed out through the door and used the tarp to inch toward the next store over, the commotion on the street continued with people yelling at each other and things getting thrown at cars by the sound of it.

Was the diversion team Nadim's?

It made sense since their team didn't have anyone to spare.

She and Parisa found a gap between stores that led to a narrow service alley, where a nondescript van idled, its side door open.

Dima sat in the driver's seat. "Get in," he called. "Quickly."

Kyra hurried Parisa into the van, then jumped in behind her, scanning the alley one last time before sliding the door closed.

"My sons?" Parisa asked immediately as Dima pulled away.

"Already secured," the Kra-ell warrior said. "Jade has them."

Kyra felt the tension drain from her body, but she remained alert, weapon ready, as Dima navigated through back streets and alleys, making sure that they weren't followed.

Her pendant had cooled somewhat, suggesting that the immediate danger had passed, but the lingering warmth indicated they weren't completely safe yet.

"What about my sisters?" Parisa asked. "Soraya and Rana?"

Dima's eyes remained fixed on the road as he made a series of rapid turns. "Soraya and Rana are secure."

27

MAX

Max's earpiece activated again, Kyra's voice coming through with beautiful clarity for a change. "Max?"

Relief washed over him at the sound of her voice.

"I'm here, and we have Rana with us. What's your status?"