Chapter 8

"What are you waiting for, Wren?"

Something smug flashed in Aria's eyes.

"Don't tell me you're scared? Or were you just humoring Cassian when you said you'd play?"

Cassian's face darkened, his voice low. "Wren. It's your turn."

I didn't move. The warrior beside me spoke up.

"Miss Wren, the rule is, once it starts, it can't stop. Refuse to play, and you take the punishment."

"And this is the hundred-and-first Trial. The punishment is every punishment from the last hundred, combined. You sure you can take that?"

I twisted my mouth into a smile. There was nothing left inside me.

What a load of garbage. Cassian and Aria had cooked that rule up on the spot.

All he wanted was to watch me suffer.

I looked at him, mockery in my eyes, my lips barely moving, my voice so soft the wind could've carried it off.

"Cassian. I'll ask you one last time. You really want me to finish this?"

His body went stiff, his pupils flickering. He was quiet a moment, then: "Wren. A game's a game."

The last thread in me snapped.

The sea wind lifted my hair across my pale face.

I gripped the gun and pressed it to my chest.

"Cassian. This shot pays you back for the cleansing you gave my grandmother—for the three more years she got with me."

Click. Empty.

Cassian frowned, lost on why I'd bring that up now.

The gun went back to Aria. She had it in the bag, but she still played it up, all fear and grit.

"Cassian, I love you. As long as I win, I'm not afraid to die!"

Another empty chamber.

Something moved in Cassian's eyes—almost touched. Then he looked back at me.

I didn't hesitate. But before I pulled, I spoke again. "This shot pays you back for the three years you spoiled me."

Empty. The gun went back to Aria.

Cassian's face got darker, the unease building. He bit out, "Wren. Just play. Quit saying these things."

By then Aria had fired her fifth and let out a breath, looking at me with mock pity. "Oh, Wren. What now? I won again."

Then it was the sixth.

I took the gun and stood. I walked slowly to the edge of the cliff, facing Cassian.

The warriors didn't know what I was doing. They moved in front of him, on guard.

But I just pressed the gun to my own chest.

"This shot—now you and I are even. For good."

Bang.

The shot cracked across the cliff, and a mist of blood burst from my chest.

I let go, threw the gun, and I went down backward, weightless.

In that last second, I saw Cassian tear toward me, out of his mind, screaming my name.

"Wren!"