You give me control.

“Oh, no doubt of that,” Larkin replied, smirking at the lady Governor, and then glancing down at Tic’s face. He followed the boy’s gaze, letting it lead him to the concerned looking Stelon. He frowned for a second, releasing Tic’s wrist and turning him gently to face Aurora after he broke his stare from the girl. He let his hands rest on the Tic’s shoulders, and looking back to the woman, asked, “and are you enjoying yourself?”

“With the anticipation I am feeling? I think not,” she joked.

“Ah, I’ll remedy that soon for everyone,” said Larkin, smiling, “but I believe it’s too early to…” His eyes shifted across the room and he leaned forward slightly, as Aurora did to catch the whisper, “too early to announce war.”

She gasped and clutched her throat, “War?” she whispered back, eyes widening, “War on whom?”

But Larkin didn’t need to tell her. He let his eyes fall to the boy standing in front of him, then back up to Aurora. He smiled wickedly at her, letting a finger stroke the back of Tic’s neck. She stared at the boy for a moment, eyebrows creasing with confusion, and then lifting suddenly as realization hit. A smile found her lips, relieved at first, but then reflecting the same wickedness as Larkin’s. She looked up at him, and mouthed, “Oh.”

It was true. The boy was from the Sink. Larkin was going to eliminate the rebels, the many masses of rebels. No one had dared try before, they were too slippery, too careful, the underground too complex for the above grounders. But he had what no one else did - someone who could, and would, tell him everything. She had suspicions on how Larkin got it out of the boy.

Larkin’s army was very weak, this she knew, and he’d called everyone together for assistance. She doubted anyone would refuse to help.

“Shh,” Larkin lifted a finger and touched it to his mouth.

Governor Aurora smiled and nodded, then turned her head to try and spot the other governors. Some were loitering near, but none in earshot. “When are you going to…?”

“Soon,” he answered, suddenly remembering Stelon. He looked to the side at where she stood, having heard it all.