The Girl Who Dared to Think by Bella Forrest (e reader for manga TXT) 📕

But as it grew closer to dawn, I knew that I had to get out of the main Tower area and back home. No matter where I went, there would always be a chance of being seen. The only safe place was Sanctum.

I waited as long as possible, and then right before the lights came on, I threw myself down the plunge and began making my way home.

35

I dropped off the ladder and turned, my gaze sliding over Tian, Roark, Quess, Maddox, and Cali before landing on Zoe, Grey, and Eric. I let out a slow breath, relieved beyond words to see them there, and ignored Cali’s angry stare to immediately move over to the small group, reaching for them.

Zoe’s arms went around me, Eric’s close behind, and the three of us stood there for a moment, just holding each other. The reunion was bittersweet for me; I had missed both of them so much, had agonized over their safety, and now that I knew Devon was looking for us, I couldn’t help but feel like I had just dropped them both directly into the fire.

“Liana, you owe us an explanation,” Cali said, and I nodded, reluctantly letting go of my friends to turn and face her. Zoe refused to let go of my hand, and I didn’t force the issue as I stood, meeting Cali’s angry glare.

My gaze shifted to the four individuals sitting on the stuffed pillows behind her, and took in the openly hostile look on Maddox’s face, the impassive mask on Roark’s, the hurt on Quess’s, and the crooked smile on Tian’s. I crooked my own lips up toward her, and she nodded, looking expectant.

“I’m sorry,” I told them, the apology almost ripping itself out of me. “I’m sorry I acted without telling you, and I’m sorry I betrayed your hospitality and trust, but I am not sorry for going to get Zoe. She’s my best friend, and she had fallen to the rank of two, soon to be a one.”

Cali’s mouth tightened. “Mercury never mentioned that,” she said, her tone flat. “So how did you know?”

“Her brother,” Grey announced, coming up to stand beside me. “He’s an Eye.”

Maddox gasped and shot straight up to her feet, and Cali took a step back, her hand dropping to the baton on her side.

“No, wait. Please.” Zoe stepped forward, letting go of my hand and raising hers. “Please. I’ve known Liana and her twin Alex for years. He contacted me during our escape from the Medica, letting me know that Liana was drawing off the Knights. He made me promise not to go after her, but I could tell it was killing him inside to do so. He loves his sister more than anything in this world. I promise you that.”

I shifted, taken aback by Zoe’s revelation. I couldn’t believe my brother had gone so far as to make Zoe promise not to come back for me. It must have killed him to send that message, but he’d known how much it meant to me that Zoe escaped unscathed. Belatedly, I realized that I hadn’t contacted him to let him know I was all right, and now that we were in Sanctum, I couldn’t.

“He didn’t want to believe I was dead,” I added. “He built a backdoor into the programming attached to my net, so he was still keeping track of it even though it was officially deactivated. When I went out with you earlier, he saw my signal come back online, and reached out. I asked about Zoe, and he looked her up. After our discussion with your contact, I wasn’t sure if you’d back me up, and I couldn’t risk you saying no, so I took things into my own hands. Believe me when I say I didn’t want to do it like this. And I’m sorry.”

“I went with her,” Grey added strongly. “So whatever you’re going to do to her, you have to do to me.”

“And they’re my responsibility,” Roark announced, pushing himself off of the floor and standing up. “So I should share in their punishment as well.”

“Oh! Me too, me too!” Tian exclaimed, jumping up and bouncing up and down on her toes. “Because I knew she was going, and I didn’t tell anyone. Oh, and also, I told her that she should go. Because you and Maddox do it all the time, and she was just really sad about her friend.”

I couldn’t keep the gratitude off my face, seeing all three of them come to my defense. They supported my decision to go after Zoe, and were backing me. Cali’s decision was simple now—boot out all of us (and risk a massive tantrum from Tian), or keep us so she could make sure the Paragon stayed in production. Roark was the only one who knew the formula, although I was certain Jasper was analyzing it even now.

Cali looked around the room at all of us, her eyes flat and hard. “That’s all well and good, but I’m not even ready to begin to address that aspect of this yet. Liana, you said you threw off the Knights that were in pursuit. How did you lose them?”

“Lashes, and a lot of luck. I stayed out for as long as I could, but as soon as the morning lights came on, I came right back here.”

She nodded, her eyes flashing with approval. “Smart. Were you injured?”

“Not really, although I have never seen anyone use their lash to bring someone down to the ground like that before.”

Cali cocked her head and smiled. “You got lassoed?”

“Lassoed?” I repeated, confused.

She nodded. “Basically, you use your lash and harness to entangle and reel in the criminal. It requires precise lash work, and an excellent sense of timing, especially when your opponent also has lashes. Some of the best lassoers in the Citadel could knock another lash bead out of the air.”

I blew out a stream of air, extremely