Chapter 72

CLAUDIA. “Save me?” I echo, not bothering to keep my voice low anymore. “No. This is not right.” A look of panic crosses Hyperion’s features, as though he did expect this to happen, but at the same time, he didn’t really think it would go down this way. He kneels beside my bed, putting his hand on my arm. His touch is surprisingly gentle but firm, and I can feel the sense of urgency surrounding him like an aura. “Yes, save you,” he says, his breath hot and stale on my face. “But you need to come with me. I will explain once we’re out of here. It’s not safe for you here anymore, especially right now, especially with him still around—” “Who?” I demand, snatching my arm from him and sitting up. There is a button at the corner of my bed, lodged into the metal frames. I know that that is for emergencies, and I thought that even though Kiernan might not hear me here, he might hear something that is familiar enough to reach through his subconscious. I press the button, waiting for an al