28. New Enemies and Allies

The first thing Sydney felt as she approached the airfield was an overwhelming sense of relief. From the road, she could see the jet that Claire had commissioned for them, ready to take off whenever they were. But more importantly, she could see the unmistakable outline of Winter's figure waiting there, his face turned in her direction.

At least he had made it. At least he was safe.

The second thing she felt, though, was a prickling sensation that something monumental had shifted—because her gaze shot to the figure standing next to Winter. It was Dameon. And from his posture, he looked like he was expecting her.

When she slowed her motorbike to a stop in front of Winter, he walked up to her immediately, his eyes still searching.

"Are you hurt?" he said as she climbed off. Then, "Where's Tems?"

She shook her head to both questions and gave him a meaningful look before staring at Dameon.

"Glad you've made it," she said to him.

"Even more glad that you did," he replied, his arms still crossed as he surveyed her warily.

Sydney looked back at Winter. He gave her a pointed expression that told her everything she needed to know.

Her cover had been compromised.

"I don't know everything," Dameon said before she could speak again. "But I know enough. Your real name's Sydney Cossette. You're some kind of undercover agent, and you're here because you're working with Winter on something big, something that had to do with the president's assassination." He held his hands up. "I don't need more. And I'm not going to talk. But I'm here to tell you that your lives are in danger in more ways than you think."

She glared at Winter, who shook his head. "I didn't tell him," he said. "He learned your name on his own—because he overheard someone saying it in the lobby of our hotel."

She hadn't expected that. "What?"

"Americans," Winter added quietly.

He explained the rest. And as the story unfurled, as Winter told her about the CIA's early involvement, the men who had been speaking in the lobby, Sydney felt as if something cold and terrible had pooled in the pit of her stomach, a sheet of ice that turned everything upside down, that drowned everything she thought she had known about this mission.

"What if this is true?" Winter said in a low voice. "What if our own government is behind this assassination plot?"

Their own government, assassinating their own president. Americans, killing Niall. Americans, trying to kill her. If this was true, then this had just become a more ominous case than any of them had dared to fear.

Did it mean the CIA was behind it? Sydney couldn't begin to fathom that idea. Her mind spun frantically.

What if Panacea had been complicit, too?

The thought of being unable to trust Sauda and Niall was too improbable for her to bear.

"If our people are a part of this," she said slowly, "and if the CIA is involved, then Tems is in very real danger. He's been captured and arrested by the police. They're going to turn him in to the CIA."

Winter shook his head, still frowning. "None of this makes any sense. Why would the US want their president dead?"

"To start a war," she replied. The clarity hurt her heart.

"Why would the US want to start a war?"

"You think we don't start wars every other year?" She glanced at Dameon, who had turned ashen. "If we trigger a crisis and pin it on China, we get to wage war."

"It benefits no one."

"It would benefit someone. Military corporations. Weapons manufacturers."

Winter narrowed his eyes. "A rogue faction?"

Sydney nodded, her mind turning faster. A rogue faction in the CIA would make sense, and the thought terrified her to her core.

"Why do they want Panacea dead?" Winter asked quietly. "Niall? You? Tems?"

"Because we're in the way," she whispered back. She looked at Dameon. "Keep this to yourself, at all costs. All our lives depend on it. You are now officially a Panacea asset, and as such, you are both in our care and sworn to silence. Do it if you care for your own life." She nodded at Winter. "Or his."

She thought that Dameon might break down, that he might spiral into a panic attack. But the boy, as frightened as he looked, gave her a sober, resolute nod.

She looked at the jet. "Make sure this stays here for us. Tell Claire any lie that will keep her from asking too many questions." Then she looked at Winter. "Stay here."

"Like hell I will." He stepped forward.

She sighed. "What now?"

"You're off to rescue Tems, I'm guessing."

"He's our mission."

"And I'm your partner."

The way he said it made her catch her breath. There was a glint in his eyes that she recognized, a bright stubbornness that told her that forcing him to stay would cause her more trouble than it was worth. And again, she felt that panic rise in her chest, the feeling of being tethered to someone, the danger of that tether shredding her heart.

He took another step toward her. "I'm not leaving you behind," he said. "Not after everything. We're either getting out of here together, or not at all."

Dameon crossed his arms and frowned at Winter. "You know, I used to think Gavi was the most dangerous relationship you could be in," he muttered. "But this is definitely worse."

Sydney tightened her lips, hesitating. Then she turned away from Winter and walked toward the motorcycle. "Come on," she said.

She straddled the vehicle and felt him swing on behind her, his familiar, warm arms wrapping tightly around her waist. In spite of everything, she felt a rush of relief that he was with her, that she wasn't alone, that at least they could trust each other. And in this moment, she wished with all her heart that he could always be here.

"Where is he?" Winter asked.

"Being held at the border for now," she said. She revved the motorcycle's engine, and it let out a roar. "Not for long, though. I'm sure they've confiscated his tracker."

"If Tems complains about this rescue," Winter grumbled as Sydney gripped the handles, "I'm going to kill him."

And at that, Sydney found herself smiling.