~CASSIAN

My old scars… my old sin—everything crashed into me like heavy rain.

I became cold, listening to Nyra’s words replay in reverse as my mind weighed them with the memories I hoped to forget.

No.

“I can't do it, Nyra,” I blurted, unable to imagine it. “There has to be—”

“Cassian, you don't understand. We don't have a choice!” Nyra yelled and moved away from me.

She moved to her drawer and pulled out something before returning to me.

“Cassian,” she said, holding a ...