The voting was about to begin when a deep, piercing sound echoed off the concrete walls. The entire city seemed to vibrate with its echo. For a second, everyone fell silent, paralyzed by what the alarm meant. And then, the room erupted into motion.
"A Rift!" someone shouted.
"Everyone get to their positions!" Milo raised his voice above the chaos. "Make sure everyone gets to the shelters!"
As if they had rehearsed it hundreds of times, the rebels acted on instinct. Chairs were pushed aside, backpacks of supplies were placed on their shoulders, and weapons hidden in crates were distributed among the most trained. Some were old; others were stolen from Blackwood's soldiers.
"Come on," Rhys muttered, turning toward the exit with Caelan. "We have to find Jae and Eun-woo."
But before they could take a step out of the room, Gunnar intercepted them.
"Listen," he said. "If this is a Rift, Blackwood soldiers will be there soon. Be careful."
"We know," Caelan responded quickly.
