Chapter 86

CLAUDIA. Both Achilles and Kiernan are ready to fight, but I watch them basically deflate when Tristan raises his hands in surrender. “I’m also here as a visitor,” he continues to say. “I only agreed when I knew you’d be coming around. But the truth is, I don’t want to be here either. Alpha Larkin and I… we don’t have a great relationship right now. We haven’t since the planned reform—” “You mean uprising,” Achilles interjects. “Treason.” “I… I don’t object,” Tristan finally allows. “What I mean is, it’s not safe for any of you. His plan is to make you fail and subject you to the judgment of the people. And let me tell you: the people here stink. They are awfully judgmental and they would kill you any chance they get.” “Why are you doing this, Tristan?” I ask in a low voice. He rakes his hands through his hair. “When will any of you accept that I just want to make things right and move on? Are the other reasons really more believable than that?” When none of us say anything, his