Her lack of suffering at what had to hurt told me she’d been reared as I had. Whichever side of the path she believed herself to be on, we both knew pain.
“It means that you can’t possibly understand what the Union does.”
Because I was used to death threats and dealing with insane people, I retracted the stem and, as I handed it to her, drawled, “I’m certain your leaders wouldn’t appreciate it if you killed me seeing as I’m so important for this next phase of whatever plan you’ve concocted.”
She sniffed. “You are correct.”
“When Star asked you to help her, who were you serving?”
From her hesitation, I had my answer without her having to utter a word.
“So, itwasbetrayal.”
“No. Her purpose aligns with mine.”
“The United Brotherhood want the Sparrows taken down?”
She dipped her chin. “They do, and they’re willing to help her if she’ll accept their aid.”
16
TEXT CHAT
PAST
Conor:Are you a patriot?
Star:I used to be. You?
Conor:Yeah. I guess.
Conor:Did you change after Afghanistan?
Star:No. It was before then. I saw a lot of corruption in the sandbox. We were supposed to be there to bring freedom to those people, but it was just about oil, power, and leverage over both.
Conor:Isn’t it always about that?
Star:Why do you think I’m not a patriot anymore lol?
Star:But I love my country. I love what we used to stand for. I just don’t love it how it is now, and with everything that comes out about the Sparrows, it confirms that we’ve never been further away from what our founding fathers wanted for us.
Star:Sorry, I didn’t mean to get deep. Why do you ask?
Conor:I’m infinitely curious about you.
Conor:Haven’t you figured that out yet?
Star:Lol. Weirdo. My turn at twenty questions then.
Conor:Hit me with it.
Star:What’s something you’re afraid of?
Conor:Living in a world without my brothers in it.
Star:Really?
Conor:Really. Nearly everything I do is to keep them safe. It’s one of the only reasons I always answer to Da when he comes calling.