POV: Yvonne

Luna's screams echoed through the camp, and with them, the screams of thousands of hybrids worldwide connected through the network.

Theo convulsed beside her, blood streaming from his nose and ears. They were both trapped, unable to disconnect without killing everyone linked to them. Twelve hours. That's how long Vex had given us before he increased the torture.

Thelma stood frozen, her face pale. I could see her calculation. She was planning to surrender herself to save them.

"No," I said firmly, grabbing her arm. "We're not sacrificing you."

"Fifty thousand people are being tortured," Thelma said, her voice hollow. "What choice do I have?"

"The choice to...