Chapter Twenty-Eight

Not long after Ranger left his presence, Delmar fell deep into thought. Things were difficult enough already within the walls of the Citadel as he tried to keep the remnants of the Ravennites together in spite of all the fear and doubt that clouded their future. It did not help knowing that many of his people were still in hiding all throughout the Dark Zone, helpless and exposed. Now there was this boy; the Outsider.

Ranger’s behavior was changing, too. Delmar had no idea who he actually was nor did he care. He knew Ranger was not the man’s true name, and that was the only clue Delmar needed to know that he was running from someone. Under normal circumstances, Delmar would not have permitted any Outsiders to seek refuge within the borders of the Dark Zone, with or without his knowledge, after the Domineers’ actions against them under the influence of the Morenno brothers. The vast majority of the Ravenni