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He winced and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, I'd pushed past him and out of the cell.

Fuck. Him.

The line of prisoners was practically vibrating as they talked anxiously with one another. Several wore poorly fitting guard uniforms, most of which were peppered with mended holes and tears.

The laundry shift workers could only steal the stuff being thrown out, so everything had to be repaired and salvaged during the nights when we weren't under watch.

The anxious knot in my stomach grew. There was no way anyone who looked closely would believe they were real guards!

"Look, I know you said no earlier — but you really need to go with Tye," Liam pleaded again, his green eyes anxious.

I rolled my eyes and walked away.

Soon, Frexin would have no leverage over me. Then I could get my revenge and never have to do another horrible deed for her again.

"I mean it," Liam hissed, following me. "You pretend to be strong, but I know you're barely holding on. And he said if you did it, he'd help me —"

Liam's words felt like glass rubbing into a wound.

I slammed an elbow into his gut, and he doubled over.

"Leave. Me. The. FUCK. Alone," I snapped, then turned and walked away, refusing to look back as I took my place in line.

A few moments later, he strode past me without a backwards glance taking his place at the front with the other fake guards.

Finally.

"Okay," Mrs. Harlsted said, voice hushed but strong. "You know your jobs … just plant your package, then make your way to the deck. If you get stopped, stay calm and stall until the explosions throw the guards into a panic. Then use the distraction to get topside."

Everyone nodded, but I could practicallyfeelthe tension radiating off them.

"Remember," Mr. Harlsted added. "The goal is to get up to the deck and out into the water. If possible, swim off in pairs. Move quickly, but don't draw suspicion. And when you get to land, find others to team up with. If Frexin captured Dragon's Peak and the Preying Wilds, it's likely she captured the other strongholds, as well. We need to find the Rogues, if we're going to be safe."

Everyone murmured their assent, including me as I tried to push down that damn knot in my stomach.

The plan was solid. It was simple and straightforward.

So why am I so worried?

It was just happening so fast! And between Tye's oddwarnings and Liam's insistence on there being something wrong …

I looked at him. He was staring at the Harlsteds, a heavy look of dread covering his face.

What if we were wrong and he or Tye are right?

"Godspeed," Mr. Harlsted said, before opening the heavy door with a screech.

Then we were moving, four groups, each with three guards and three prisoners.

Mrs. Harlsted stood at Mr. Harlsted's side, and they pulled me out of line as I drew near — wrapping their arms around me in a tight hug.

"You've grown into a wonderful woman, Kaiya. Your aunt would be proud," Mrs. Harlsted said, voice catching.

My throat tightened, and I let myself cling to them for a moment, soaking in their familiar warmth, memorizing the feel of their arms around me. With Aunt Grace back in Gleyma, they'd become the only family in this strange place.

Gods. I was going to miss them!

"Gotta go," whispered one of the prisoners ahead, and Mr. Harlsted stood tall, wiping tears from his eyes as he met my gaze.