Ignite Me

The Omega Point group (without James and Adam) arrive. Warner dispassionately informs them they will have access to food and showers, and tells them not to bother him with complaints. He instructs Kenji to give a list of medications to Delalieu. Kenji and Warner interact with stiff politeness. Warner leaves.

Kenji asks about the stiffness between Juliette and Warner, which Juliette unconvincingly denies. Kenji worries over the “drama” with Adam, who didn’t want the group to leave, and misses James. He tries to distract from his poor mood by pushing Juliette to talk about her fight with Warner again, but Juliette turns the conversation back on him and Kenji admits he hates how he keeps losing people. They hug, and Juliette vows not to forget about Kenji’s pain again. Kenji comments on the strangeness of seeing Warner’s affection for Juliette; when Kenji was a soldier under Warner (in Shatter Me, and then in Unravel Me, when it’s revealed Kenji was an Omega Point spy), Warner acted entirely emotionless. This surprises Juliette, as Warner never behaved that way with her, but she tells Kenji that though they are becoming friends, she and Warner are not together romantically. She asserts, however, that Warner deserves to know he and Adam are brothers. Kenji shushes her, but she reminds him this means that Warner and James are brothers, too. She threatens to tell Warner herself if Adam doesn’t, though Kenji’s surprise at this gets lost in their turn to banter.

Despite the ongoing tensions with Juliette, Warner confirms that she trusts all the Omega Point members before disclosing that his father is on a ship in the middle of an ocean, which means they will have to lure Anderson to them if they wish to kill him. Juliette explains her plan to take over his sector—Sector 45—and convince the soldiers to fight against The Reestablishment instead of on its behalf. Most soldiers don’t benefit from the regime, she argues, and likely only took their position in the military for a dearth of other options. Juliette plans to rally soldiers and civilians, and take over the sector, forcing Anderson to come quash the rebellion. When he does, they will kill him and take over the country.

Juliette’s plan to lure the soldiers to their side involves a display of their powers, which she offers to do alone if the others fear attack. She explains her super strength, then displays it, crushing a 50-pound weight into a lump before tearing it in half and tossing it so hard the ground shakes. The group is impressed, though Winston is alarmed to realize Warner could take Juliette’s power and do the same thing. Warner counters that he could take all their powers, but Juliette reassures the group that she trusts Warner with her life.

Castle asks who will be the new commander if they succeed in killing Anderson, and Juliette claims the role. Castle points out that there will be 554 more sectors to fight, but Juliette is confident in her ability to know what is right. He urges her to understand that she is undertaking “a great and terrifying responsibility” that could “backfire in an irreversible way” (134). Juliette understands and Castle wishes her luck.

Later, Juliette asks for Warner’s opinion of her plan, insisting she wants them to be friends. Warner dislikes this, arguing that Juliette thinks she needs to see him as a “different person” but that he is, in fact, the same he has always been; it’s only her perception that has changed. She asks for time to figure out her feelings, urging friendship in the interim, but Warner expresses fear that friendship between them would be “the end of [him]” (136).

Kenji laughs at Juliette for gaping at Warner in his workout clothes. Kenji and Juliette plan to take a month to train and improve their skills; Kenji wants to project his invisibility without touch and Juliette needs greater control over her strength. In an effort to throw a dumbbell, she accidentally shatters a wall. She fears it will collapse on Warner, but he borrows Castle’s telekinesis and, between the two of them, they lower the pieces safely to the ground. Juliette feels jealous of Warner’s proclivity with his power. Warner loosens up slightly, even laughing at one of Kenji’s jokes.

Juliette feels exhausted after a week of practicing with her powers, and annoyed at the tension that lingers between her and Warner. Kenji chastises her for continually looking toward the elevator for Warner’s arrival instead of focusing on her training. She claims that Warner helps her to feel lighter and more in control of herself, more positive about her future. Adam, by contrast, reinforces her sadness. Kenji reminds her not to be too hard on Adam. Juliette isn’t convinced, positing that the version of themselves that emerges during hard times is the truest version of a person. She frames her relationship with Adam as desperation, not love, and expresses that she is no longer the same girl Adam fell in love with. She grows angry as she recalls the darkness of her mind in the asylum and how, if she’d grown angry then, she would have been able to break down the physical walls holding her in. She insists it isn’t a question of choosing Adam or Warner; she is choosing herself.

Kenji applauds this thinking, then says she will have to tell Adam the same, as he and James are arriving the following day. He told the Kent brothers of their good situation at the base. He hesitantly admits, as Juliette grows angry, that he told Adam that Juliette still loves him. When Juliette asks why he would do such a thing, Kenji grows frustrated, expressing that it is “bullshit” that their group is being kept apart over hurt feelings when nearly everyone they know is dead. Though she understands Kenji’s reasoning, she reminds him that Warner and Adam have tried to kill one another on several occasions. Though genuinely upset, Juliette ends the conversation by joking that she will shave Kenji’s head as revenge.

Juliette returns upstairs to Warner’s chambers, frustrated that she will have to hurt Adam’s feelings again. She tells Warner that Adam and James are coming, surprised at how easily she admits she no longer loves Adam. She further admits she is attracted to Warner, surprised he isn’t more aware of this. She says he is “different and exactly the same” (149), commenting on his calm and gentleness. He departs abruptly, leaving Juliette uncertain how to interact with him.

When Juliette goes down to the training area the following day, Adam and James are already there. Adam is impassive, but James is excited to see her and impressed with the facility. When they get a moment alone, Adam begins apologizing but Juliette cuts him off, telling him Kenji lied; she doesn’t still love him. Adam accepts this more easily than Juliette expected, though he still believes she’s blind to Warner’s ulterior motives. When she insists this is untrue, Adam grows angrier, and Juliette says she will not stand for further insults.

Juliette is annoyed with Adam for his behavior and at Kenji for his duplicity in bringing Adam to the base, though she understands Kenji’s concern for their friends’ safety. She tells Kenji that he has to deal with Adam so she can prepare for the coming battle without constantly arguing with her ex-boyfriend. Kenji agrees and asks if what Juliette said to Adam is true: Does Warner not really care Adam is at the base? Juliette insists he doesn’t. Warner, she asserts, “is not as crazy as [they] think he is” (154).

Alia designs Juliette a new suit, which, if Juliette keeps her powers up, will render her nearly invincible. Alia and Castle have considered the things Juliette has broken (a concrete wall in Shatter Me and the earth in Unravel Me) and concluded that if she can break those things without harm, then she should be able to protect herself from other forces, like bullets. Her injuries, Castle posits, only occur when she allows her powers to “slip,” even briefly. Kenji is jealous.

Warner appears and insists he always knew Juliette’s powers were stronger than everyone else’s. Adam gives Warner a hostile stare, but James breaks the tension by chatting amiably, which discomfits Warner, especially when James asks if Warner loves Juliette. Warner admits he technically works for The Reestablishment, which frightens James, but Warner explains he has betrayed The Reestablishment to fight with the Omega Point rebels.

While teaching Juliette to fight, Warner encourages her to punch him. She resists, but he emphasizes that technique is as important as brute strength. She fears she will hurt him, and he tries not to laugh; his training means she won’t be able to. He teaches her, patient but amused at her frustration. When she successfully blocks him, he and Kenji both praise her, though Adam looks furious.

Warner continues to teach Juliette, increasing her confidence. She practices destroying objects from a distance, and gains aptitude with it. Kenji suggests training outside, despite the risk; their planned date to reveal themselves approaches, which lessens the urgency of secrecy. Adam remains hostile, but quietly so. James, who has not been told of Warner’s past, constantly badgers Warner with questions. Adam and Alia grow closer, causing Juliette to think that someone sweet and quiet—like Alia, and like Juliette once was—is the kind of romantic partner Adam wants.