Chapter 32

Wren flies with Luisa to the valley to check on Tana, now living with Seth and Beatriz. During a quiet walk, they pass Jenni, whose strained tie to Gray contrasts with Tana’s reports of Jenni’s pride in him. Talk turns to Cross; Tana resents Wren’s involvement with a Company captain.

Pressed by Wren’s concern, Tana reveals that Anson raped her before the mine and that she killed him later, yet feels emotionally numb and self-loathing. Wren counters Tana’s despair, refuses to abandon her, and names Tana’s survival and retaliation as proof of strength, renewing Wren’s own determination.

That evening, Wren visits Kallister to read Marina Serrano’s file, skimming school records and asking about Marina and Jake. Kallister recalls Marina’s conviction and love, mentions Jake’s first wife, Cecilia Carpenter, and argues Marina could love while serving Merrick Redden.

Wren raises Lyddie De Velde and her powerful parents—Colonel Alexander and Biotech head Catherine—prompting Kallister to allude to troubling “murmurings.” Wren also questions Adrienne’s corruption; Kallister insists the Authority never approved mass use and doubts Adrienne would act without consent, though he looks uneasy.

Suddenly, Wren involuntarily overhears a mental exchange between Travis and Cross. Travis outlines a harsher regime that executes Aberrants as examples; Cross pushes back, calling Roe’s actions murder, yet claims he is “trying” and risks losing Silver Block if he resists. The link cuts off, leaving Wren shaken that Cross has reentered the Company while opposing its killings.

Later, Wren tries linking with Cross for answers, but he refuses, deepening her uncertainty about his choices and the escalating threat to Aberrants.