A/N

I'm taking a look at the last couple days of comments and responding.

CrimsonQueen24, The Devil Wears Westwood, Totalbooknerd13, waterpolo3, and prnamber3909: I know, the last few chapters have been sad. Poor Stavros! All he ever did was be loyal to Maxon.

Guest: I am trying to update more often, now that I am officially on summer break. So, hopefully that helps? Thanks for being so interested in the story that you are requesting updates. :) (Btw, an actual LOL for the last post...)

Kayleigh987: Thank you for reviewing. I appreciate your kind words! Hope you enjoy the rest of the story! Let me know along the way. :)

Wordforword: It was time to do away with Didasko-glad America got to do it herself!

nappyninja: See reponse to guest. Thanks for reading! :)

prnamber3909 & Totalbooknerd13 re: ch 32: Well, it is midnight-ish with no end to the night in sight... :)

The Devil Wears Westwood CH 32: Here's your update! Thanks for your dedication to the story! :)

LoveTheSelection: Thank you. Yeah, America's last few months have sucked. But, I'm happy the story is working for ya! :)

Thanks, as always, for reading, whether you review or not. (It is fun to read the reviews, though...) You all are great! -SJ :)

Elise tries to keep up as I dart down the hallway to Maxon's study, then almost runs into me as I stop short in his doorway. Aspen and Maxon are standing side-by side, arms crossed, and expressions serious. In front of them is Kota, looking earnestly and expectantly from one to another. I wish for the constant irritation to pass when I see Kota, but even though he saved Calix tonight, I couldn't totally push the emotion to the side with all the others.

I stride into the room, "Can my family not stay put in their rooms this evening? Kota, what in heaven's name are you doing here? If I'm not mistaken, you have packing to do."

"And as I was saying, because of my work with the former Twos, I have overhead a lot of things. It's amazing what people will say when they forget you're even in the room," Kota says.

Maxon raises an eyebrow, "Why are you just offering us this information now?"

"I didn't realize the seriousness until this evening when I was trying to get Calix and myself to the safe room. You all haven't been exactly forthcoming with information."

I narrow my eyes, "Then enlighten us, dear brother."

"I was sculpting in Sota before my hand was irreparably damaged, doing some work for the Mayor and his wife, Bariel. I believe she was in the Selection?" Maxon nods for him to carry on. "They seemed to be particularly concerned about the dissolution of the castes. They did a lot of name dropping, and a lot of traveling to other provinces. A particular favorite seemed to be Bonita? Wasn't there a massive warehouse fire there just a few weeks ago?"

The rest of us exchange a glance.

Kota continues, "I'm just putting the things I heard together. If I had more information, I could be of more help. I'd like to stay and be useful to you. It's been awhile since I've felt useful."

"You can be the most help with the rest of the family in Italy," I insist.

Aspen interrupts me, "Thank you for your help. We must ask you to return to your room now. We'll let you know our decision in the morning."

Kota nods, and exits the room.

Aspen looks at me apologetically, "We are grasping at straws, America. He could be of use. If he's not, what's the harm in letting him stay?"

"The only thing Kota wants is to feel important; I doubt he'll truly aid us."

Aspen assures me, "It's not that I trust him. Hell, right now I'm having trouble trusting you and your husband."

Maxon tries to soothe me, "So, we let him flex imaginary muscles. It must be difficult to lose your talent and trade and self-worth all in one blow. The family is all he has, America, and he has precious little connection left to that."

Finally, I relent, "Whatever. He is your responsibility, Aspen."

"Not that I mind the visit, love, but is there a reason you're here? Do you want me to look at the letter?"

I stand stark still for a second. Elise prompts me, "The key."

"Yes, my desk is locked. Or impossibly jammed. Either way, I need you."

Maxon understands that I never lock my desk, and leads the way back down the corridor without any additional chatter. Aspen, looking a little bewildered, brings up the rear. Without pausing in the doorway, Maxon covers the distance from the hallway to my desk in four long strides. He tries my long center drawer, and says, "An awful lot of fuss for a simple jam." With an expert flick of his wrist the drawer is open. Now, I can get to my pens.

"My stationary is in the large drawer to the right," I instruct. He tries the same maneuver and is met with resistance. His brow furrows. Aspen tries to lend assistance with the same result. The drawer stays shut.

Elise and I suggest, simultaneously, "The key?" I join the two men at the desk.

Maxon slides the key into the lock, and it clicks quietly. I hold my breath, and the drawer slides open. Inside, is a disc labeled: The End of Maxon's Selection in Gavril's script. With it is a folded piece of scrap stationary. I pick up the piece of paper, while Maxon palms the disc. The note is one simple line, hurriedly written: It has happened before, and it goes higher than you think.

Stavros knew he was in trouble, but had very little time to warn us. I sigh and cover my face in my hand briefly. Then I pass the note to Maxon; the furrow between his eyes gets deeper as he shows Aspen. Maxon takes the disc and inserts it into the player in my office, switching on the television. We see the grand ballroom fill the screen on that fateful night when the Southern rebels attacked. The beginning shots are not very close up, instead, the camera is panning the room. I see the dais, and feel tightness in the back of my throat as it is obvious that all Maxon's attention is on Kriss. I see a much younger version of myself staring off across the space, and crowds of people filling the seats. I see the guards surrounding the room, and even though I know they are the rebels, I feel like I would have known then if I had been paying closer attention. Even with a long shot it is obvious they are not regulation. Celeste is shot, again, and Elise and I clutch each other's hands. The room erupts into chaos, and I see Maxon taking the shot meant for me. Aspen carries Kriss out of the room, and I see Stavros take off across the space. The King reaches for his vest pocket, and the wounded Queen Amberly is at his feet. Stavros shoots the king in the head. As the monarch drops, Stavros carefully folds the Queen into his arms, and runs out of the room.

The footage continues to run, but we are no longer watching. The air has been sucked from the room.