Chapter 29 · The Purge Train

"They're moving the prisoners now."

I'm staring through the scope at Council heavy transport—armored plating, tiny barred windows running both sides. Greywolf's contact said they're clearing Lightborn before the next blackout expansion. Moving them where, nobody knows.

Nobody who gets on those trains comes back.

Maya's still unconscious behind me. The black crawl from the dart stopped spreading an hour ago, but it didn't fade. Just sits there on her back like a handprint. Waiting.

I lower the scope. "How long until it crosses into zone territory?"

"Twelve minutes." Greywolf's crouched next to me on the overpass, counting bullets. "Maybe ten if the engineer's got any brains. You sure about this?"

"No."

He laughs, but it's not a happy sound. "Good. Means you're not an idiot." He slots a magazine into his rifle. "My people can slow it down at the checkpoint. After that it's on you."

"Where's Rachel?"

"She got her orders an hour ago. Direct from the Council." He doesn't look at me. "Take you alive. High priority. They want to know how you make light without burning out."

"She tell you that?"

"Didn't have to. I've got ears in their dispatch." He finally meets my eyes.