Page 151 of Hell and High Water

“Your father?” His eyes narrow.

“Yes. My father was one of the Sinful. Arguably, the last of them. And I will not let his legacy die.”

“My, my. You are a tenacious little bitch. Maybe a bit deluded…”

“Watch your mouth!” Gavin warns, his hand clenching on his gun.

“Apologies, old habits. None of it matters, though. The Sinful left us to fend for ourselves. One woman won’t make a difference.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“He beat me. And those soldiers are on their way to wipe out the Block next. After that, there won’t be anyone to fight back. But still, I almost wish I could be around to see you try.”

“Not all of us have given up.” The news about the Block shakes me, but I clench my fists, unwilling to let him see me flinch.

“Given up? No. I simply changed my strategy. I will die. But so will Sanctum Harbor.”

“What do you mean?” Prickling dread ripples down my back.

“I've set a plan into motion that will make sure there’s nothing left of Sanctum for Marco to take over.”

“Tell me what you did, Devonde!” I slam my hands down on the table, but another coughing fits racks him, dragging him to the ground. “What did you do?”

My demands go unanswered as he starts to black out. Dropping to my knees, I shake him, but he’s out, his breathing slowing.

Stopping.

Pulling away, I let Gavin drag me out of the room, the sickening revelation of Devonde’s promise echoing through my head.

28

HELLENA

“Hella!” Tell’s voice rattles me from my stupor as we exit the devastated confines of Devonde’s building.

“Tell!” I’m rushing into his arms, spinning around through the air.

After what I just saw, I need his joy, his light. Added to the fact that he’s safe, alive.

“Where were you? We couldn’t get your tracker to work and we heard that Devonde was attacked and?—”

“I’m fine. I was lucky enough to be posing as one of Devonde’s scouts when I spotted Marco’s men.” Tell kisses me again before setting me down. He immediately looks over at Alaya, his eyebrow shooting up. “You’re new.”

“And you’re tall.”

“I’m Tell, and you are?”

“Not attracted to scarecrows, string-bean!” Alaya snaps with a smirk.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tell’s eyes narrow.

“Huh, I guess that makes Hell Dorothy, Gavin the tinman, and Evan the cowardly lion,” Alaya muses, and I can’t help covering a burst of laughter that slips through my lips in a snort.

“And you must be the Wicked Bitch of the West?” Tell slings back at her.

“I’ll have you know,” Alaya starts, jabbing a finger at him, “ I am… very okay with that assignment.”

The two of them are worse than children. Tell looks like he’s about to keep going when he stops, shaking his head and looking back at me. “I almost forgot. Hella, we need to go. The Block?—”

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