“WE HAVE to move now,” Lily said into the comms, her voice sharp and steady. Civilians were being funneled through evacuation corridors, but the next stretch was exposed.
Jeremiah fell in beside her, hand brushing hers briefly, grounding her as always. “You sure you want to be this close?” he asked.
“I’m not staying behind,” she said, voice flat.
She had chosen this. She wouldn’t hide. Not today. Not when so many lives depended on her.
Ronan’s voice cut through the static over his own channel. “Lily, this is dangerous. You should stay in the control point—observe, don’t risk yourself.”
“I’m not observing,” she shot back. “I’m acting.”
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” he said, harsh and possessive.
“And I’m going to make sure people survive,” she replied, unwavering.
There wa
