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"The only way?!" I hissed. "It's the worst thing I could imagine!"

He grit his teeth and leaned forward, towering over me so I had to crane my neck to look up at him.

Something warm and needy unraveled in my chest — the bond making itself known — and I felt myself lean closer …

"How can you not want to get free of this hellhole?" he growled. "Is working with me really any worse than what you do for Frexin now?"

His words struck me, and I had to turn away.

I was doing everything I could …Frexin said she'd kill the prisoners if I didn't comply.

"It's not that simple," I tried, voice cracking. "So, unless you can guarantee the villagers' safety, my answer is still a no."

Tye stiffened and looked away. "I can't help them."

"Then you have your answer. Besides, in here, I hurt maybe one person a day. But out there," — my voice cracked — "out there Frexin used me to hurt hundreds, ifnot thousands, of people. I can't do that again." I shook my head. "I won't!"

Tye grabbed me, pulling me in close, long fingers gripping my arms as his yellow eyes bore into me.

"Youmustaccept," he insisted. "She's coming, and there is only so much I can do once she's arrived!"

I gasped as a strange pain that was not my own twisted in my chest, desperate.

Hells!Were Tye's emotions coming through the bond?!

I wanted to scream at him — punch him!

But gods, why was he so full of pain and worry? It almost made me want to reach up and smooth away his scowl —

"Please," he tried again, unaware I could feel him. "Tell me you'll accept before we dock tomorrow."

I stiffened.We are docking tomorrow …

The news roused me from his pull and made my heart skip a beat. He'd just ruined any chance he had of convincing me. The villagers would be free tomorrow.

I didn't need him.

Something inside me hurt at the thought, but I ignored it.

"Lieutenant Fordyth, there is no need to wait until tomorrow. The answer is no. I willnotbe working for the Empire again."

His eyes went wide, and he ground his teeth, jaw clenching. "This is not done yet."

"Yes. It is," I said, ignoring the maelstrom in my chest as I yanked free of his grasp, turned on my heel, and pressed the button to open the red doors.

This was the right choice, despite how much that damn bond disagreed.

Chapter 8

Kaiya

Heartbeat racing, I strode into the hallway to find a half-dozen soldiers standing at attention, glaring at Holden and Liam.

"What was that about?" Liam whispered as I stepped up to him.

The bond in my chest throbbed, but I pushed it away.

"Empire gremlyn-shit," I bit out. "It doesn't matter."