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“Ahem…”

Everything stopped.What in the world?My eyes opened as Matias released my chin, looking over my shoulder.

“If you’re done, we’re needed.” A deep voice. A scarily familiar voice.

God, please don’t let it be him.

Almost too afraid of confirming my suspicions, I looked over my shoulder.

Fantastic, I mentally groused. “It’s you,” I muttered in disappointment at Wes’s scowling face. He ignored me.

“What do you want, Wes?” Matias’s tone was curt as he leaned away from me.

“Sasha’s asking for us at headquarters.”

Matias worked his jaw a moment before finally looking at me once more with his characteristic reassuring smile. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

Wes cleared his throat. “She wants her too.”

“Me?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” His eyes sent me a piercing glare.

What the hell was his problem?

Just as quickly as the thought crossed my mind, I answered it.Everything was his problem.This was Wes…entirely grumpy and forever an ass.

Matias stood up and extended a hand to me. “We’d better see what she wants.”

Accepting it, I allowed him to lift me up. We held on to each other, but when my face turned to see Wes’s permanent scowl and caustic gaze on our joined hands, something inside of me had me pulling away, clearing my throat as I did. Matias looked confused, and I gave him a nervous smile as I crossed my arms.

“Well, shall we get this show on the road or what?” I asked, trying to shift his attention to something else. With that, the three of us left the riverbank, hiking back to headquarters.

Let’s see what other twists this river wants to take.

28: Propaganda

Whenwearrived,Chelseaand Edith greeted us. If all five of us were being called in, it was likely nothing good. I watched as my peers stepped inside and assembled themselves around the circular strategy table in the center. I made sure I stayed by Matias.

Sasha stood tall, flanked by Sergeant Major Anthony Giza and another man I didn’t recognize. Though her pose was confident, her face was tight with concern. “Welcome. Thank you for joining me on such short notice.” We all nodded. “I’d like to introduce you to Ben, one of our many undercover operatives inside of Telvia. He brings news that I thought was important for you to hear.”

The man behind her stepped forward, raising his fist to his mouth as he cleared his throat before continuing. “Thank you, President De’vor. While stationed in Telvia, Admin held a mandatory viewing less than twenty-four hours ago. The viewing was about Miss de la Puente.” I perked up at the sound of my name, chest tightening.

“Me?”

“Yes. The viewing informed the Telvian community that you had died shortly after the Cleansing in the Arena, but that the presidential family had been too devastated to make any formal announcements. They reported the rebels had kidnapped you as a punishment to the presidential family for those who died in the arena. They said that, not only were you captured, but you had been slain. They’re planning a parade and grand ceremonial burial in your honor.”

“Great,” Wes grumbled. “That’s all we needed. Bad publicity.”

Chelsea snorted in agreement, her arms crossed against her chest as she cocked out a hip. “Flippin’ fabulous…”

“It would seem you have become the Martyr of Telvia,” Sasha began. “An innocent girl on the verge of beginning her adult life, in love with the boy who tricked her and ultimately caused her demise. No better way to garner sympathy from all the classes.”

Matias was tense beside me, body rigid and face hardened as he stared off into space. Giza spoke, drawing my attention back.

“We’ll need to respond to this. We cannot afford to lose sympathizers.”

Matias broke his silence. “We could respond with our own propaganda. Something that shows Mara well and healthy among us.”