Rebel Born (Secondborn #3)(48)

“Have you figured out a way to extract the Spectrum mind-control device from a host without killing the victim?”

His head bows.

“I see.”

“I’m sorry.” The skin of Reykin’s neck darkens. The color travels up and spreads over his cheeks. He reaches for me but hesitates and crosses his arms over his chest instead.

“What are you sorry for?”

“I should’ve jumped. If I had, you would’ve escaped.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You would’ve had a chance.” His jaw clenches.

“I did have a chance. I lived, sort of . . .”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m different now, Reykin.”

He has a searching, tender look on his face. “You look the same, Roselle.” He reaches out to me again, but this time he cups my cheek in his hand and turns my face toward his. He rubs a calloused thumb over my soft skin.

“I’m not the same.” I activate the silver glow in my left eye. The light casts a metallic sheen over his face. Reykin winces, and his hand drops from me, retreating. His response almost breaks my will. A tremor enters my voice: “I can control it, this thing in my head, for now. I can’t promise you that it will always be true. Crow’s horrifically powerful. He’s part of the collective consciousness they call Spectrum, and he can take over anyone with a VPMD implant—inhabit their bodies. His control is absolute.”

“Except over you.” Reykin’s response is restless and angry and . . . hopeful.

“I don’t have a VPMD.”

“You don’t?” He’s staring at my silver eye.

I extinguish the light. “No, mine’s different. I have a prototype developed by a rogue technician who wants to defeat Census.”

“Ransom put that thing in your head,” Reykin growls, his dark eyebrows shooting together in downward slashes, “in the Fate of Seas.” He has figured it out. It wasn’t hard. I all but told him. Dread and remorse color his expression.

“I should let Ransom explain it. He had reasons.” I choke on bitterness. I know I’m a freak, but Reykin’s reaction all but buries me. I’d almost rather face Crow and accept his oblivion than wither under this exposure.

His fists clench. “I don’t care about his reasons.”

“You should care. At the very least, Crow would’ve murdered your brother and had someone else implant a VPMD inside my brain if he hadn’t operated on me. It was at great personal risk that he did what he did. Ransom could’ve just implanted me with the standard device. If he had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation now. I’d be one of the many Black-Os still hunting you.”

Reykin grasps my upper arms. “He made you their pawn.”

“I’m no one’s pawn now.”

“But you said yourself that it could change.”

“It could,” I admit. “You should never drop your guard with me.”

His hands fall from my arms. He looks devastated. “I see.”

From the corner of my eye, something moves in the sea outside. When I glance that way, Hawthorne’s there, staring at me through the glass. I gasp and place my hand to the cold surface. By the time I do, he’s gone, evaporated.

“What’s wrong?” Reykin asks, reaching for me. I put up my hands to stay him while staring at the dark water.

“Did you see anything outside?”

“You mean, like a ship?” Through the glass, Reykin studies the darkness, too.

“No, not a ship. You didn’t see Hawthorne?”

“In the water? No! It’s impossible—not at this depth. It would crush him.”

My eyebrows draw together. “I just . . . I’m just tired.” I rub my forehead with a shaky hand.

“You’re sure you’re all right?” He touches my hair, smoothing it away from my cheek.

My heart thrums faster. My palms are damp. Being near Reykin makes me light-headed. For me, it’s as if I had left him only days ago, not months. “I’m glad you made it out—that night—on the platform,” I blurt out. “I’m glad you didn’t die—or have to go with Hawthorne and me.” I can’t say more. Emotion chokes me. I’m blinded by tears. I turn away to hide them from him, my shoulders rounding.

“I tried to find you . . . I couldn’t . . . I got close once, but I didn’t make it in time.”

I feel sick. “When?”

“The attack on the Salloway stronghold in Swords.” He touches my shoulder, a gesture meant for me to turn and look at him.

Shame burns my cheeks. I can’t face him. “Never drop your guard around me, Reykin.”

“Roselle—”

“I mean it! Don’t let me in.”

Reluctantly, Reykin withdraws a step. “I’m going to the bridge to contact the other ships and locate which one has Ransom. I’ll give you an update on his status when I know something. Try to get some rest.” He moves toward the door. “I have to lock you in this room. Contact me with your communicator when you awaken,” he calls over his shoulder, and then exits. The door slides closed behind him and locks.

“I am awake,” I reply softly to myself. “I just hope it’s forever.”