One more condition, Jerik lifted a finger, trying to catch her thoughts, which had wandered elsewhere. Don't tell any of the councilor members about this, especially Morgan. He'll be looking for reasons to kick me out of this position.

Liana remembered the strict councilor, who had wondered why Jerik was trusting a kid to find an escaped prisoner. Deal. Can we do it now?

He rubbed his eyes and ran fingers through hair that seemed to gray more every time she had a brush with death. Let's wait until tomorrow.

Please? I need to know!

Jerik sighed, glancing back into the dark sleeping room. Five minutes, Liana.

She nodded and settled on the ground, leaning against the wall. Her mind reached out, passing by the thoughts of the sleeping Bluebloods, into the depths of the foggy island. A faint trail of panicked thoughts clouded her mind, and she sat up with a start.

Do you hear that?

Jerik's face had gone pale, white with anxiety, as he gave a shallow nod. Someone's outside.

Liana's eyes instantly darted to the door, fearing that it would crash open and the room would be filled with acid fog, red as blood like in Taylor's vision. She placed one hand over her thundering heart, trying to focus on her uneven breaths. Okay, I hear... panic. Doubt. Guilt? Is it one of our own?

Jerik shook his head. The fog is designed to specifically kill Bluebloods. If it was one of ours, they would be dead.

Her thoughts shifted to Blackthorne, Demitri, Allie, Kendall- even though she knew the last three were Bluebloods, their names burned the word SEAM in her mind.

Hey, it's not Allie.

He didn't sound convinced. She chewed on her lip, trying to steady her breathing as she stared at the door.

What if they changed them? Made them red- blooded?

He glanced back at the sleeping room, exhaling slightly. Not this fast. It's only been a couple hours.

They work quickly, I know that better than anyone. Liana focused on the door, sucking in a breath. What if it's Blackthorne? What if he knows where we are? Her brow furrowed as she realized something else. What if it's their new Psychokinetic? What if she's more powerful than-

Liana, shh. Jerik held a finger to the air, tilting his head. Her mind filled with his thoughts, and the thoughts of the person outside.

You can do it. Open the door. When you see her... he trailed off, but a chill crawled up Liana's spine as she understood what he was implying.

Kill her.