Olivia’s lip curled as she looked at Aren. “What about him?”
“He didn’t just protect Iria because of his feelings,” Em said. “She made him more powerful, and he wanted to keep her close. How do you think he was able to use his power on you?”
Olivia gasped, and Em knew she’d just given her sister the most dangerous piece of information yet. They would probably have to take a few prisoners for Olivia to experiment with.
“He still shouldn’t have used his magic on me,” Olivia said.
“That’s true. Let me speak to him. I understand how feelings can get in the way. I’ll talk some sense into him. If we can’t reason with him, we’ll put him in a cell. We can’t afford to lose even one more Ruined.”
“Good. I like it. Best not to give up on him, since he’s so powerful. I’ll tell the others.” Olivia spun on her heel and Em turned away, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.
Aren stared at her wide-eyed. “Em, you’re not really—”
She gave him a sharp look and he immediately stopped talking. “Yell at me. Tell me you need Iria.”
Confusion flashed across Aren’s face for half a second. But he quickly obeyed. “I need her!” he yelled. “Iria is one of us!”
“I’m sorry about this,” Em muttered, then reeled back and slapped him across the face. “Pull yourself together!” she yelled, loud enough for everyone to hear. “She’s just a girl! She’s nothing compared to you! Compared to us!”
Aren worked his jaw around and nodded silently.
“I can’t convince her,” Em whispered. “And if we leave her I don’t know what will happen.”
Aren lifted his eyebrows in question, but his terrified expression suggested he had already caught on to her plan.
“The only way we can stop this is by sticking with her. If we bring Ruined to our side, she won’t have enough people to attack anyone. I know several who would be on our side right away.”
“Me too,” Aren said. He looked at Olivia. “If this goes bad …”
“We’re probably dead.”
“The Ruined don’t betray each other.”
“Then we’re about to be the first.” She moved closer to him and grabbed his hand. “If you want to run now, I understand. Cas would welcome you.”
Aren shook his head. “No way. I stick with you, always.” He lifted one shoulder. “Besides, it can’t be any more dangerous than infiltrating the Lera castle, right?”
Em glanced at Olivia. She was pulling a piece of metal out of her arm, wincing as blood ran down her skin.
Em took in a shaky breath. “Debatable.”
She looked over her shoulder, at the Olso ships departing the harbor. The warriors wouldn’t be back anytime soon. The Ruined were on their own, for better or worse.
Her gaze shifted to the Lera castle. Cas and the Lerans also had no other kingdom left to rely on. Em might be their only ally.
She almost laughed. Emelina Flores, Lera’s most important ally.
Her amusement faded as she turned to face her sister again. Olivia was staring at her and Aren. “Are we leaving? Will we have to drag you, Aren?”
“I’m coming,” Aren said. He looped his arm through Em’s.
“Good.” Olivia crossed her arms over her chest. Em had never seen someone regard her with such intense suspicion. “Lead the way, sister. I assume you have a plan?”
Em met her sister’s gaze. “You bet I do.”