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I rubbed my brow, history echoing in my mind. “Sasha, when Raúl took over the southwest, what happened after that?”

Her gaze flickered to me, the gentle wrinkles of her face crinkling as she grimaced. “You were born in the South, did you know that?”

My eyes widened. “What?”

She nodded, pursing her lips. “I was there when you were born, child. A cool spring night—I’ll never forget it—and your mother fought hard to bring you into this world.” Her eyes glistened with emotion. Then she shook her head once more. “When Raúl took control of the South, that’s when you were taken from your mother. She fought hard, but she was horribly outnumbered, and I made her leave you behind. It was the only way.”

My mother. A woman I never met and always thought had abandoned me on my father’s doorstep, had actually been a rebel. And she didn’t abandon me…I was taken from her. Taken by Raúl. Why? No one knew. But I was stolen from her, and now she was believed to be dead. I worked my jaw, trying hard to suppress the sting of unshed tears in my throat.

Sasha folded her hands on the table, straightening her back. “After that, your father set his sights on the North, but they managed to keep him at bay. And so, we find ourselves here.”

I pressed my lips together, trying to muscle the flood of painful emotions under control.

“This might come as a surprise to you, child, but the North does not aid this rebellion out of sheer good will. They fear that Raúl’s incessant need for power will drive him into another attempt to conquer the North again. And our allies to the east know that if the North should fall, they have no hope of surviving a war against Raúl.”

Sasha leaned back in her chair, folding her hands on her lap. “You see, child, human beings are motivated by wealth, power, survival, and revenge. It’s that simple. Don’t ever make the mistake I made all those years ago and think that people willsacrifice themselves or their positions simply because they care.” She leaned forward, her voice portentous. “There is always a deeper motive.”

My stomach twisted, and I suddenly felt itchy on the inside, shifting in my chair uncomfortably. I understood Sasha’s position, but I didn’t like it. It didn’t feel right, and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I attempted to change the subject.

“So why did you tell me all this? What does this have to do with my brother?”

Sasha tipped her head softly, acknowledging the question before rolling her shoulders back and facing me straight on. “I tell you this story because I want you to fully understand our position in the rebellion. The attack on our base was disastrous, and it left the Dissenters with nothing to offer the North. Whatever leverage we had to secure their aid is now gone. By the grace of god, they continue to assist us, but I must tread carefully in how I utilize their resources. If my propositions leave nothing to be gained for them, then it is highly doubtful they would agree to it.

“Unfortunately, saving your brother is a priority only you and I share, but it does little to assist the North. In fact, until now, your brother has been nothing but a hardship to the Calvernon family. They lost their first son, and their second went against their wishes on a mission with odds stacked highly against us. Retrieving the data from Telvian Administration was a monumental risk. As far as our Northern counterparts are concerned, it was an unnecessary one.”

Raptors soared through my belly, twisting, turning, tumbling about, making me sick to my stomach.

Sasha watched me closely, observing my every move. “Rescuing your brother from the tower is an impossibility. Bellfire Tower has never been breached. I made you a promise toassist in whatever way I could, but you forget that I have little I can do without the resources the North provides me.”

I swallowed, my throat dry and scratchy. “So that’s it? We’re just giving up?”

“I’m sorry, child.”

I leaned back in my chair, jaw slack as my gaze came to rest on my open palms. The ointment had done wonders to heal the burns, but I could still make out the healing lines. Did I really do all of it for nothing? Did I sacrifice my life—Wes’slife—for nothing? No…no, I wasn’t going to accept this. I didn’t come this far just to be told we wouldn’t even try.

Absolutely not.

“No.”

Her brows drew forward. “Pardon me?”

“No,” I repeated a little louder, firmer. “You promised me that if I played along and did what you asked, you would save my brother. I’ve done my part, Sasha, and now I expect you to do yours.”

“Miss de la Puente, my hands are tied—”

“I’m not accepting that answer, Sasha.” I stood up, curling my hands into fists. “With or without you, I’m going to recuse my brother. Even if I have to do it alone. But if I go and die, I won’t be of anymore use to you, will I? So you can either help me save my brother, or you can let me do it alone. But you and I both know that if I go alone, I’m probably never coming back alive.”

Sasha had the best freaking poker face in the world. She looked calm—relaxed—sitting at the table with her hands folded and perfect posture. Time ticked for several heartbeats—one, two, three—and then Sasha cleared her throat.

“Well then, I can see that you are quite determined. I can only imagine how all this may appear to you, but I warned you that day that you would need to do whatever I said in order to get your brother back.”

I arched my brow. “Yeah, I remember.”

“And you agreed, yes?”

I nodded, crossing my arms.

“To breach the tower will mean resources I do not have. But…our friends here in the North do.”