The circle slowly broke apart. No one said anything for a few seconds, as if speaking might shatter the fragile possibility we'd just decided on.
I stood there breathing hard, my fists unclenching and clenching at my sides. My whole body was vibrating like I'd touched an exposed wire.
Theo stayed by my side, arms folded. "Tonight, huh?"
"Yeah," I said. "It's our only chance."
Theo hesitated, glancing toward Zaara. "You… gonna talk to her before this goes down?"
My gaze followed his. Zaara stood a few feet away, shoulders rigid, arms hugging herself so tight.
She was staring at a crack in the floor.
My chest squeezed until it hurt.
"I don't know if she wants me to," I said.
Theo snorted. "Doesn't matter if she wants it. You need it."
Before I could answer, Kira appeared at my side. "Vincent, I still don't think it's a good idea."
Suri was hovering near Jacob, whispering furiously. I caught words like die and no way out. Jacob kept trying to hush her, but she
