Light Bringer (Red Rising Saga, #6)

by Pierce Brown

“Mobs may seem strong as the sea, but give me a starShell, and a Moses I will be.”

He climbs on my back, muttering. “Let’s go to war with the Reaper of Mars, I thought. Truly, I envisioned something far more glamorous.”

“You idiot. What was that?” I shout. “You said ‘Move’!” “The other way!” “You didn’t specify which direction!” “Who dives into a bloodydamn cell?” I snap.

So she must have thought: if gods are inevitable, shouldn’t godkillers be as well?

“Where…is Ajax.” They go quiet. “Oh. Sorry. My head’s a little off.”

“Worry is a spiral with death at its center, Cassius,” I reply.

A golden fantasy appears—me and my sandwich alone in my cubby, getting to know each other real sloppy like.

In the cold prison of our minds, we are alone with our self-hatred, our doubts, and guilt. No one more than Sevro. A friend may reach through the bars and hold our hand, but they cannot open the door for us. Only the prisoner has the key. All I can do is remind him we’re waiting for him when he gets out.

“Civilization is based on exchange and social contracts. I was taught that the lowColors exchanged liberty for security and stability. We have failed to provide security. We have failed to provide stability. We have failed you. The contract is broken. Take your due.”

“That motherfucker’s gonna burn.”

“I must. I am Cassius Bellona, son of Tiberius, son of Julia, brother of Darrow, Morning Knight of the Solar Republic, and my honor remains.”

None of them yet understand that Lysander was just covering his ass before committing a war crime.