Andrew's POV

Angeles is different. No longer are there brightly lit streets, smiling faces, and towering skyscrapers. Instead, all I see is dust and ruins. The main boulevard resembles a scene from an old western movie. I can imagine a saloon standing where the abandoned bank is on the corner; cowboys on horseback, riding toward the structure to get their daily dose of booze and bread. The air smells stale, as if this street has been emptied of all life. Nothing is left except the remains of what used to be my home city.

Part of me wants to cry. After all, I should be upset about what has transpired here in recent weeks. Instead I feel a sense of relief. At least the rebels have no reason to return to this place. There is nothing left for the inhabitants, and therefore nothing of use for the rebels.

I feel a hand touch my bare shoulder and my self-defense skills kick in. I quickly grab their wrist and complete a maneuver that leaves my attacker defenseless underneath me.

"Drew what are you doing?" the girl I am straddling looks shocked.

Shit. Calliope.

I hurriedly jump to my feet and lift her up to stand beside me.

"I'm sorry. You surprised me."

I keep forgetting that she is here with me-that I must protect her at all costs. Spending time alone with Calliope made me feel things I shouldn't have; however, the plane ride here made me reevaluate what mattered. Natalie and Sydney put us in self-defense classes when we were first adopted. They trained Mailey and me to fight for our lives. They told us to always stay vigilant and never trust another soul with our lives. I will not sacrifice my hard work for a girl I barely know. I will not jeopordize my life by trusting her too much. I need to stay focused and aware of my surroundings or we will both die before we step foot in the palace.

Focus, Drew. First order: monitor surroundings and stay out of sight.

"Come on. We need to find better cover. Walk on the outsides of your feet, Cal. Try to stay silent and keep your eyes peeled for any trouble."

Despite my orders, the gravel crunches beneath her feet as we walk in the shadows of abandoned buildings.

She might be the reason we both die.

"Cal! Come on! Quieter please." I whisper.

We continue walking.

She's doing much better. It's almost as if she disapp-

I turn right in time. The shovel nails me in the head and everything fades.

Gerad's POV

"You mean to tell me that your long-lost best friend is the girl I'm courting?"

Morgana paces from one side of my room to the other, biting her nail.

"Yes, yes I know this complicates things. People will begin to question if she was purposely chosen for the Selection because of our past. Trust me, I was not expecting to meet her again, Ger. Her father died and I lost all contact with her thereafter. The palace advisors would not give me information about her whereabouts until a report came in about her mother. Did you know she and her brother were abandoned and left to rot in their home?"

"Yes, I know her story. She has overcome so much in her lifetime. It's no wonder she is so fragile now."

Fragile, and yet still the strongest woman I have encountered.

I bite my bottom lip until it begins to bleed and run a hand through my hair.

"Morgana, I love her. I'm sure of it, and yet it scares me beyond belief. Her condition is deteriorating and there is nothing I can do to help. We found her brother, but apparently the plane had to touch down somewhere beyond our city limits. Andrew and his friend are on foot with no protection from our guards, and we have no clue where they are. If the rebels find them, Mailey may never forgive me."

Someone knocks on my door and I let them in.

"Your majesties," the guard bows, "I am afraid we have some dire news to relate."

They've been captured.