Victoria Aveyard

She’s beating us without firing a shot or drawing a blade. Words are all she needs.

Anyone can betray anyone

“It’s not my fault you were stupid enough to play along,”

“The truth is what I make it. I could set this world on fire and call it rain.”

“I told you to hide your heart once. You should have listened.”

They will not get that from us.

“Kill her! KILL HER!” he roars, pointing down at me through the dome. “SHOOT HER!”

“I have the advantage,” I tell his corpse.

It was supposed to protect them, but it is electric, it is lightning, it is mine, and the shield protects me now.

Red blood drips from my wounds, and lightning trembles in my skin, declaring what I am for everyone. Overhead, the video screens go dark. But I’ve already been seen. They can’t stop what’s already happened.