1269_UgliesFreeBook

302 Scott Westerfeld
“Another one of ours,” she said.
The other Special raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know we
had so many runaways.”
The two hauled Croy to his feet and marched him
toward the largest group of Smokies outside. Tally bit her
lip. Croy was one of Shay’s old friends, so these two
Specials were from her own city. Maybe all the invaders
were.
It had to be a coincidence. This couldn’t be her fault.
She’d seen the pendant burn!
“So you’ve got Croy on your side too now, I see,” Shay
hissed.
Tears began to fill Tally’s eyes, but not from the pepper
this time. “Look at me, Shay!”
“He suspected you from the beginning. But I told him
every time, ‘No, Tally’s my friend. She’d never do anything
to hurt me.’”
“Shay, I’m not lying.”
“How did you change Croy’s mind, Tally? The same
way you changed David’s?”
“Shay, I never meant for that to happen.”
“So where were you two last night?”
Tally swallowed, trying to hold her voice steady. “Just
talking. I told him about my necklace.”
“That took all night? Or did you just decide to make
your move before the Specials came? One last game with
him. With me.”