“Nova, don’t! You’ll die if you do this!” I cling to her as hard as I can—well—as hard as I can with only my right arm, as I can’t lift my left without white-hot pain shooting up my shoulder.

“Relax,” I say, my voice raspy from the lack of use. “I’m alive.. barely.” I try to sit up, but pain shoots through every aching muscle in my body. The constriction of my muscles forcing me back down

“Once a traitor, always a traitor. Andrew, let’s go.” I turn on my heel and before I can take a step, I feel a hand on my wrist.