Everlife (Everlife #3)

He pops his jaw and says, “Just so you know, I’ve never brought a woman or girl or lover to this house. Human, spirit or otherwise. I’ve never brought anyone here.”

“Not even Erica?” The former lover who’d given him his tattoos. “You used to work with her. Among other things.”

“I remember. But she and I were never exclusive.”

How wonderful. He remembers Erica but not me. “As your Flanker, she chronicled your successes.”

“Also my failures. And yes, there were a few.” There’s a note of bitterness in his tone.

Am I one of those failures he regrets? “Victors are adored, failures are abhorred, right?” A motto he’s chanted on more than one occasion.

He frowns, but nods.

All right. Enough chitchat. We’ve got work to do. “Which Shell will you be using?”

He points to a short, redheaded boy with freckles, and a laugh bursts from me.

My Shell could eat his Shell for dinner. “We’re going to make an odd pair.” We’ll stand out. Big-time. At least I think. Maybe all couples are mismatched in Myriad.

“I’ve used the other Shells. These are the only two not associated with me. I’d give you the shorter male, but your walk is too feminine.”

I snort. “If that’s your idea of an insult—”

“At worst, it’s a simple statement of fact. At best, it’s a beautiful compliment.”

“—then we’re going to have a good life together. Once you remember me, that is.”

He laughs, but sobers quickly. “Somehow, you always manage to surprise me.”

Doesn’t like that I can make light of our bonding, too? Good. “So no one will know it’s you and me inside the Shells?”

“Exactly.”

“Are you sure? In Troika, Leaders keep a log of every Shell. They know who owns each and every one.”

“So do the Leaders in Myriad. But I made these, so there’s no record of them anywhere.”

He made them? Hidden talent alert! Guess I should have known, though. He’s a creative soul. He made my pi necklace, after all.

“There are voice modulators in their throats, so even our voices will be disguised.”

“What about our eyes?” Every Shell has empty sockets. Anyone who looks at me will see my unique, mismatched gaze, and anyone who looks at him will see those crystalline flecks.

“We’ll wear sunglasses.”

“In the dark?”

He shrugs. “We’ll set a new fashion trend. Or bring back an old fashion trend.”

Very well. I step into my Shell. I had to practice for days to learn how to anchor, and now I do it with ease. Just boom, I’m part of the Shell and the Shell is part of me; the movement of my spirit directs the movement of the Shell.

This Shell has gun Whells—Shells for weapons. Meaning, I can go in armed. His Shell has Whells, too, even for his wrist cuffs.

“Do people walk around armed in Myriad?” I ask as Killian straps a gun on either side of my hips.

“Some of them. Most of them.” Killian enters his Shell, anchoring just as easily, then holds out his hand.

The moment has come. One of the reasons I agreed to bond with him. To enter Myriad. After all the hardships we’ve endured…putting everyone we love at risk…

Was it worth it?

We’ll find out.

Killian takes my hand, yanks me against him, and presses a kiss into my lips.

“Do not leave my side,” he says.

“I won’t.”

A second later, he transports us to the Veil of Midnight.





MYRIAD



From: K_F_5/23.53.6

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: I have the package We’re on our way. Give me a day, just a day, to show the girl our world. I can convince her to help us. I know I can. Just as I know that whatever you have planned for her will fail. She’s too stubborn. Torture won’t break her. But I can. Let me do this. Ambrosine will thank us both.

So. Here’s the plan. I’ll bring Tenley inside, and you’ll give her a chance to fall in love with Myriad. If I fail—I won’t fail—I’ll return to Troika and personally end their Generals. War over, that easily.

Face it. I’m bonded to her. If you hurt or kill her, you hurt or kill me, too, and I’m the only one capable of getting inside Troika. You need me inside Troika. Betray me, and lose the war. Your choice.

Might Equals Right!

Killian Flynn

PS: I want Erica Morales released from the Kennels by the end of the day.





MYRIAD



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: K_F_5/23.53.6

Subject: Of course I’ll have one of my men follow you, just in case you need backup. Take the time you need. You are a valuable member of our team.

Once you’ve won over Miss Lockwood, we can visit the Kennels to free Miss Morales.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: V_P_5/20.16.18

Subject: It’s almost time Mr. Prince,

You’ll be pleased to learn I’ve received another message from Mr. Flynn. He’s bringing Miss Lockwood into Myriad TODAY. You are to follow the couple in an unrecognizable Shell, and stay out of sight. Understand? I don’t want Miss Lockwood to recognize you. Honestly, I don’t want Killian to recognize you.

He wants his former Flanker, Erica Morales, released from the Kennels. Problem is, we executed her yesterday morning. I told him we’d do what he wanted, so, if you do end up in his crosshairs, continue the ruse.

He believes we’re giving him time to convince Miss Lockwood to join our cause. In reality, we need time to test the limits of her Light, and the strength of our shadows.

The end justifies the means. You’ll have your revenge soon enough.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





chapter thirteen



“Our Light loses nothing when it is shared. Quite the opposite. New Lights shine. The world grows brighter.”

—Troika

Ten

I stand before the infamous Veil of Midnight, amazed.

I’m used to the Veil of Wings, a mountain of a wall with a very small doorway. This one has no wall, or doorway. The endless expanse offers a shower of ebony…water? No, it can’t be. As citizens come and go, no one gets wet. Whatever the substance, it glitters with starlight as it flows from a sky of black velvet.

My mother and father are inside. So are Dior and Javier. Erica. My friend Marlowe. Perhaps my Aunt Lina. Many Ends is inside. Which means Caroline—Killian’s mother— is inside as well, ever since her Second-death.

“Nervous?” Killian asks.

I hate fear with the heat of a thousand suns, but… “Yes.”

“Don’t be. I’ll protect you the way you protected me.”

I take no comfort from his words. Ever since our shower, he’s been distant. I’ve begun to wonder if he messaged his boss while he was in the closet. Guilt has appeared in our bond more than once.

But, let’s say he’s telling the truth right now. Did I protect him? On my watch, he was Dazed and locked away. So. I kind of expect an army to be waiting for me the moment I exit this Veil.

A group of giggling girls races past us, vanishing under the Veil, paying us no heed. No one acts as if Myriad’s enemy #1 is nearby.

Another comforting thought: Eron is on my side, helping me, even though I can’t see him…or feel him…

Feelings mean nothing right now.

What’s more, if Killian plans to betray me, Aunt Lina would have warned me. Right? She’s warned me about almost every other disaster in my life.

Aunt Lina. My heart rate increases. She plans to kill Killian. Maybe. Probably. One of her past visions might just support her claim. The song she taught me as a child…

Ten’s tears fall, and I call. Nine hundred trees, but only one is for me. Eight times eight times eight they fly, whatever you do, don’t stay dry. Seven ladies dancing, ignore their sweet romancing. Six seconds to hide, up, up, and you’ll survive. Five times four times three, and that is where he’ll be. Two I’ll save, I’ll be brave, brave, brave. The one I adore, I’ll come back for.

My mind locks on the last line: The one I adore, I’ll come back for. I haven’t yet come back for Killian—until today. My shoulders stoop. I’m back in Myriad. For him. For us. For everyone.