Unraveled by Gennifer Albin Read Free Book Online Page B

Earth I discovered how far they had gone to protect their power. I’m
     the only Spinster who knows the true depth of their power—and their history.
    “You have no idea who you are dealing with,” I say to Hanna sadly, “or what he’s capable
     of.”
    Cormac flashes us a wicked smile. “They’ll know soon enough.”

 
    SIX
     
    S PECIAL TEAMS FLOOD THE CELLS . A GUARD jostles me out, pushing me against Cormac as a scream calls my attention back to
     the prisoners. Officers drag the Spinsters from their prison, herding them into a
     group. Hanna’s eyes meet mine before security forces surround the girls. From the
     mass of black uniforms a collection of arms reach out, grasping toward freedom, but
     I’m pulled down the corridor of the tower and away from the swarm of girls.
    Hanna’s final accusatory look burns in my mind. She sees me as the problem—another
     girl not only controlled by the Guild but willing to do as they wish. I want to believe
     I’m dangerous—that my power should be feared—but who do I scare? The more I think
     about it, the clearer the answer becomes.
    Myself.
    Despite my best efforts, I’m no closer to solving this situation without violence,
     and as I watch the chaos, knowing that there’s not much time left for the Spinsters
     here, my composed veneer cracks, fear and guilt seeping through it.
    Cormac is only a few feet away. Whatever he is planning, I can still stop it. If I
     invoke our agreement, I can remind him that a compromise will be a better course of
     action. It’s the best I can do, even as a tiny voice in the back of my mind reminds
     me this won’t be enough.
    “What are you doing?” I ask. He doesn’t bother to look at me. He’s too consumed with
     his business.
    “We have no choice but to institute Protocol Two,” he says. “Containment of the Spinsters
     is necessary, and this coventry and sector have been compromised.”
    “Can you transfer them out to other coventries? Separate the ones who didn’t rebel?”
     It’s less a question than a wish.
    “I’m not interested in keeping a bunch of traitors.” Cormac stops, but he searches
     the room around us. To him our conversation is merely another annoying side effect
     of the situation.
    Grady stands to the side of the action. He doesn’t try to stop the guards dragging
     the Spinsters away; he looks frozen.
    “You have to stop this,” I yell at him. “You know what he’s going to do, don’t you?
     Stop him!”
    The troops march the girls past us and out the door of the Ministry. I have no idea
     where they are taking them, but it can’t be good.
    “Cormac.” Grady finally speaks up. “Execute them if you must, but consider the people.
     They don’t deserve to be punished for the actions of a few Spinsters. Without the
     Spinsters—”
    Bile rises in my throat. He’s willing to sacrifice those girls to save the population.
     Cormac rounds on him. His face is pale and there’s a slight tremor when he raises
     his finger to point at Grady. “And let the taint in this sector spread through the
     rest of Arras? If we don’t contain the rabid propaganda here and now, it will be Protocol
     Three next.”
    “It will never come to that,” Grady says, but he slumps against a wall as if the weight
     of this possibility is too much to bear. “You’ve never been able to make hard decisions,
     Grady. I’ve made this one for you. You’re absolved for now.” Cormac waves a hand at
     him, shooing him in the direction of the exit. “Leave Allia before it’s too late.
     I’ve ordered emergency rebounds into the adjoining three sectors and the termination
     of every Spinster in the sector.”
    Grady’s face is slack, guilt hanging from it like oil pooling in a rag. Cormac may
     believe it’s easy to walk away, but I feel the heaviness in the air. No one can justify
     what’s happening here today. No one will be pardoned.
    “What will happen to them if you order this? Who will work the