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“You’re wrong,” Khalani protested. “We’re good people.”

“Ha! Good people still lie.”

Khalani’s chest caved in as their chances of escape slowly diminished like the sun. “What can we do to prove ourselves?”

“Nothing.”

“Please. We’ll do anything.”

The woman hesitated, her focus shifting to the other captives before lingering on Takeshi, whose eyes locked onto Khalaniwith a mix of frustration and an emotion she couldn’t quite place—perhaps anger, or something else entirely.

After a long pause, the woman spoke. “We can’t let you leave the Desert Spring, but maybe you’re right. Maybe thereissome other use for you.” She nodded to the one of the men, who abruptly turned, bounding up the stairs.

“Are you sure this is wise, Chief?” the other man asked, his tone hostile as he glared at Brock.

“Are you questioning my authority?” the woman lashed out.

The man flinched, shifting uncomfortably. “N-no, Chief. But how can we trust them?”

“We don’t,” was the woman’s terse reply.

Underlining her chilling words, more footsteps echoed down the stairs. Khalani shifted back against the metal pole as ten more figures appeared, crowding the small space. A few held pistols—ones that looked eerily familiar—while others brandished spears or knives.

“Cut the ropes,” the woman ordered.

The strange figures moved with brisk efficiency, sawing through each of their bindings.

When Khalani was released, she gingerly cupped her wrists, rising slowly, limbs aching from the confinement. Brock inched closer to Serene, glaring at the woman.

And Takeshi…he stood like a looming wraith.

She had no doubt that if he were the only captive, he would’ve already attacked them and found a way to escape. But with Khalani and the others by his side and Winnie still missing, he had no choice but to comply with the strange leader’s demands.

The woman nodded, her voice bounding around the room with unquestioning authority.

“You now belong to the Desert Spring. The sun and moon goddesses will decide whether you’re worthy to remain within our walls. But understand this…if we detect even the faintesthint of betrayal, you won’t merely seal your own fate—you will condemn your entire tribe. And we don’t bury our enemies anymore. We spear them from throat to groin and hoist them at the gates for the desert to claim.”

Khalani’s wide eyes met Serene’s, and both of them silently communicated the same thing.

They were absolutelyfucked.

9

You don’t have to worry.

I’ll worry enough for the both of us.

“What happened to them all? The ones who didn’t get a spot in the bunkers?” Khalani asked in the Braderhelm library.

“They died.” Winnie’s gaze sank to the floor, as though it might absorb her sorrow. “They were left behind in a poisoned wasteland, with nothing but a slow, agonizing death waiting for them.”

“But why couldn’t they make more room?! What made us more deserving than them to live?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Winnie clasped her hands. “Remember this, Khalani. No person is more deserving than another. You can’t control where or who you’re born to. You can’t control your luck. All you can do is recognize your privileges and strive to be better than those who came before you.”

“Not sure if I’m doing a good job of that.” Khalani’s shoulders drooped.

Winnie cupped her shoulder and gave her a knowing smile. “You’re here for a reason. That’s why you’re still alive. I know the road hasn’t been easy. But have you ever considered that you’re meant to walk the hard path so the next person can fly over it?”