Page 145 of Terror at the Gates

“I can’t, Zahariev,” I said, breathless.

My hand slipped from his as I came to a stop. He turned back and gripped my face hard between his hands, like he was trying to hold me together even as I broke.

“Youcan,” he said, his eyes boring into mine. They were the only bright thing about this night. “It’s not much farther. I promise.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, rallying for this final push. He tugged on my hand, and we raced together through the streets of Hiram. When we came within sight of the entrance, I could see the flashing red lights of the SUV just beyond the barred gates.

Zahariev slowed as he approached and pushed against it, testing the give.

“Come here,” he said. “As soon as you can, go.”

Then he shoved harder, forcing a gap big enough for me to slip through. It was a tighter squeeze for Zahariev, but he managed it, and once we were free, he pushed me toward the SUV.

“Go!” he snapped, even though I didn’t need the order.

I opened the door and climbed into the cabin.

“The compound, Felix,” Zahariev barked, shoving into me as he followed me into the back seat.

Felix slammed on the gas before the door was even shut.

For a few seconds, the only sound was our harsh breathing, and then I realized I was shaking, and everything that had happened crashed down on me in one fierce blow.

A terrible cry tore from my throat and then another. I couldn’t stop, even though I wanted to because this hurt in ways I’d never hurt before.

Zahariev wrapped his arm around my back and slid the other under my knees, shifting me onto his lap. I turned into him, burying my face in the crook of his neck.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered.

He kissed my hair and held me tight, like he was trying to keep my soul from splitting, but it was too late. I’d fractured the moment Esther died, and this had shattered me.

***

On the way to Zahariev’s compound, I oscillated between uncontrollable sobbing and quiet contemplation. I cycled through the same two thoughts—my parents can’t really be deadandno one could have survived that…right?

It felt unreal, not only that they were gone but the way it had all happened.

A bomb.

Someone had planted a bomb in my father’s office. The one I’d been in moments before. In the house I wasn’t supposed to leave tonight.

“Is everyone dead?” I asked. My throat felt tight, and my words were thick, falling heavily from my swollen tongue.

Zahariev took a moment to answer, his arms tightening slightly. “Are you asking about your mother and father?”

“Everyone,” I said. “The families, their children?”

“They were gone, Lilith,” Zahariev said. “When the power went out, Lisk messaged the families to return to their districts.”

It took a moment for those words to settle.

“I was supposed to die,” I said.

“Don’t, Lilith.” There was a broken quality to his voice, but he needed to know.

“You don’t understand,” I said, pushing away from him.I had to see his face, to look into his eyes when I told him. “My father chose an heir, Zahariev.”

He stared back, gaze hard and heated. I didn’t add that it also meant I was technically engaged. He already knew what it meant.

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