Page 177 of Silver Elite

“He’s not talking at all,” Tyler says. “If he’s a silverblood, he’s not using his gifts. We made sure his arms aren’t covered. Same for the girl.”

I feel sick again. Tana is alone at the inn. With Anson watching over her with his creepy snake eyes. His revolting leer.

I reach out to her again, hoping maybe Anson stepped out to urinate, but her link remains closed.

“Let me talk to Griff,” I blurt out, cutting Tyler off midsentence.

Cross arches a brow. “No.”

“I’ve known him since I was eight years old. If he’s going to talk to anyone, he’ll talk to me,” I insist. “I promise you, if there really is a tunnel, he’ll tell me.”

“Or,” Cross counters, “we use the daughter as leverage to make him talk.”

I glower with indignation. “You’re not using my friend as leverage.”

His expression sharpens like a knife’s edge. “These people are part of an Uprising cell. These are not your friends.”

“I get it. I understand what you’re saying to me.” I clench my teeth. “But I’ve known them almost my whole life, and if you’re right and they are working for the enemy, I can get them to talk. If I promise Griff that Tana will be safe, he’ll tell me whatever we want to know.”

“Who says she’s going to be safe?” Xavier drawls.

I level him with a deadly look. “You’re not hurting her.”

“It’s not your call. They’ll both be sent to the Tribunal for sentencing.”

“No,” I implore Cross. “Please, if I can get him to give up the location of the tunnel, can you promise me they won’t face the squad?”

From across the room, Hadley speaks up in typical stern fashion. “Aiding the enemy is treason, Darlington. It’s punishable by death.”

“Sometimes people go to labor camps,” I shoot back. “Sometimes they’re more useful alive than dead. Like your mother.”

His breath sucks in.

“Yeah, I heard all about your Aberrant mother,” I say coolly,enjoying the way he blanches. Then I refocus my attention on Cross. “Why can’t Tana and Griff be sentenced to labor?”

“Because we don’t know the extent of their crimes yet.”

Cross is visibly losing patience with me, but I give him one last push.

“If I get him to reveal where the tunnel is, will you spare their lives? Can you make that deal?”

He hesitates.

“Please.”

After a beat, Cross caves. “Let me talk to the General.”

—

The fact that Griff isn’t restrained tells me he hasn’t put up a fight. He wouldn’t, though, not with his daughter’s life at risk. He’d never take any chances with Tana’s well-being or safety.

He’s shirtless. They want to be able to see his arms if he uses an ability, which is a waste of time because Griff isn’t Modified. But they don’t know that.

He watches me approach the table, and although his square jaw remains tight, I notice his expression softening.

“It’s good to see you, kid.” Griff’s familiar baritone voice makes my heart ache.

“Are you okay?” I ask him. “Did they hurt you?”

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