Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Wren advocates for Xavier’s release, confronting the Authority’s distrust and Teriq’s hostility. After deliberation, Xavier offers limited intel while declaring loyalty only to Wren. The Authority frees him into Wren’s custody under a lethal shared-liability bond, dramatically raising stakes and binding Wren’s future to Xavier’s conduct.
Summary
Wren visits Xavier first, finding him physically unharmed but cynical after two weeks in the cell. She informs him that both are wanted for treason in the city and offers to seek his release if he agrees not to harm the Uprising and to stick by her. Xavier balks at loyalty to the Uprising but admits loyalty to Wren and himself, agreeing to consider her terms.
After arranging a meeting with the Authority through Kallister, Wren eats in the mess, noting Gray and Karra’s private “couples breakfast” and enduring lighthearted banter among friends. She spends the morning training recruits at the range, then meets the Authority—Adrienne, Kallister, Fiona, Gray, and Teriq—to plead Xavier’s case.
Wren argues Xavier can’t return to the city and is loyal to her, proposing supervised release. Gray and especially Teriq distrust Xavier, with Teriq suggesting execution; Wren counters that if they kill Xavier, she will leave. Fiona refuses to place Xavier in the valley. Wren offers responsibility for him inside the Dagger, citing his technical skills.
After a brief private deliberation, Xavier is brought in. He refuses to betray friends in the Command but offers limited intel, asserting boundaries. Wren underscores that he saved her life and presses for a chance.
The Authority decides: Xavier will be released immediately into Wren’s custody under a strict bond—any serious misstep by Xavier means punishment for both, up to execution. Xavier responds with sarcasm, and Wren accepts the burden, realizing the perilous commitment she has made.
Who Appears
- Wren (Stella Hess)Protagonist; petitions the Authority to free Xavier and accepts shared-liability custody over him.
- Xavier FordFormer Command lieutenant; offers limited intel, declares loyalty to Wren, released into her custody.
- AdrienneAuthority leader; co-decides to free Xavier under a lethal bond tying him to Wren.
- KallisterAuthority member; facilitates the meeting and announces Xavier’s conditional release to Wren.
- TeriqAuthority member; argues for executing Xavier and challenges Wren’s place in the group.
- GrayAuthority member and pilot; doubts Xavier’s trustworthiness and refuses him access to planes.
- FionaAuthority member; opposes sending Xavier to the valley and questions his value.
- HenleyUprising member; escorts Xavier to the meeting and jokes during breakfast banter.
- KarraGray’s partner; shares a private couples breakfast with him.
- MakoUprising member; joins breakfast banter, teasing among friends.
- SaintUprising member; subject of teasing over a visible hickey at breakfast.
- EvlynneUprising member; sharp-tongued participant in breakfast banter, needling Saint and Henley.
- LuisaUprising member; teases Saint about a hickey during breakfast.
- NeemaUprising member; joins the lighthearted breakfast teasing.
- WellsTrainer at the range; works with Wren and recruits.
- UmaRecruit at the range; trains with Wren and Wells.
- ZakUprising member; eats lunch with Wren before the Authority meeting.