Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

The absolute majesty of every edifice dumbfounds me.

We travel through another Stairwell, then another Gate, and finally end up in the Tower of Might, a city given its name because of the numerous skyscrapers with...loading docks rather than balconies? Flying cars come and go. I shake my head, awed.

I’m carted to one of many coliseum-type arenas surrounding the skyscrapers and dropped on a sandy ground. I jump up, ignoring the black spots flashing in my eyes and the empty state of my lungs. The masked men remain in place as Levi, Meredith, Kayla and Reed join us; the entire group forms a circle around me.

Tremors shoot through me, but I raise my chin. Want a piece? Come and get it.

“Gentlemen,” Levi says with a nod.

The “gentlemen” in question remove their masks, revealing Deacon, Clay and Victor.

There are seven people in total.

Seven days in a week. A heptagon. Lucky number seven.

I scowl at Levi, the General who obviously issued the order to abscond with me. “There are better ways to invite me to...whatever this is.”

“Yes, but there was no better way to show you just how weak you are.”

“Well, consider me shown.” I spread my arms wide, all, Bring it. “Anyone else want a go at me?”

“Oh, don’t worry. Everyone will get a go at you.” He crosses his arms. “Please tell me you spent the morning using your Key, unlocking doors in the Grid.”

“I’d tell you, but I’d be lying.”

He frowns at me. “You should spend less time pitying yourself and more time on what matters. We need you, and people in the Land of the Harvest need us. See how that works?”

So irritating, but so right.

He walks around me, drawing a circle in the sand. “A gift given can do nothing unless it’s received.”

My hands ball into fists. “If you’re hoping to confuse me, A-plus. You nailed it.”

He smiles at me, but there’s no amusement in the deed. “You have to forgive yourself for Archer’s death. Otherwise you’ll be in breach of contract. Did you know that? Hold a grudge, earn a punishment. Even when the grudge is self-directed.”

I bristle, retorting, “Has anyone informed Elizabeth of this?”

“How about you focus on you, eh?” He winks at me. “Since you’re new, I’ll throw you a bone and explain a few things. Elizabeth has entered a grace period. A time without punishment to reflect and forgive. While you might curse her grace period, I have a feeling you’ll rejoice when you are shown the same mercy.”

Ugh! He’s more irritating by the second. “What constitutes a punishment here?” I know about the Exchange, when we see our crime through the eyes of our victim. But there must be others.

“Loss of home or job. Solitary confinement. Yes, we have a prison here, and resentment is a serious crime. Antipathy of any kind casts a shadow over the Grid and affects us all.”

Well. Time to do my part to keep the Grid bright and shiny, then. I face Clay. “I’m sorry. I knew someone else would rush to your rescue but feared no one else would—”

He holds up a hand to stop me. “I’m sorry. Meredith explained the situation to me. I should have trusted you.”

Meredith knows me and sees the best in me. The realization is bright and shiny.

My gaze finds hers. Thank you, I mouth.

She blows me a kiss.

“You are a Conduit,” Levi says, taking the reins of control.

“Am I?” I ask softly. “I’ve shown no signs of extraordinary power.”

“A few setbacks, and you doubt my word and your own abilities. Perhaps you are ordinary.”

I scowl at him. “A few setbacks?”

“Anyone can start a marathon. Only the strongest will finish it, even after they fall.”

Ann-nn-nnd he’s right again. Zero! “Please stop doing your impersonation of a motivational poster.”

“Very well. We’ll get down to business.” He wipes an invisible piece of lint from his shoulder. “Normally we wouldn’t send a trainee into the field, but a unique case has come to our attention, and you, Tenley Lockwood, are the only one who can do the job.”

“Also, we would never send a Conduit into the field when our only other Conduit is MIA,” Meredith adds, her voice now brittle with tension.

Trepidation flash-freezes my Lifeblood. I can guess where this is headed. The girl Meredith mentioned before the welcome party. The one infected with Penumbra.

“The princess isn’t missing,” Levi informs us. “The Secondking spoke with his Generals this morning. Myriad has placed a large bounty on the princess’s head. Unwilling to risk one of our own people turning against her for personal gain, the Secondking has hidden her, as we suspected.”

I’m disgusted by Myriad’s daring, but relieved the princess is safe.

Levi pins me in place with a hard stare. “As for the case. The worst has happened. A day so many feared. Myriad has successfully infected a human with a disease known as Penumbra.”

Knew it!

Gasps of horror rise from the others.

“It’s real?” Reed asks.

“This isn’t a drill?” Kayla seems to crumble into herself and shrink.

Levi nods and continues. “This information goes no further than our circle. Understand?” After everyone verbally agrees, he adds, “You’re the only one who can stop an outbreak, Miss Lockwood, which means I have to give you a crash course in the field of...everything. We’ll also work on your quirks and help you grow through every problem you encounter.”

Grow through, he said. Not just go through. I like it. “But I’m just a girl. One girl, newly dead. How can I—”

“All you lack is the proper motivation.” A shrewd gleam enters his eyes. “Perhaps this will help. Killian Flynn has been placed in charge of the infected girl’s care.”

I jump as if I’ve been hit by a freak bolt of lightning. Catching my breath is suddenly impossible. My blood heats. I’ll get to see Killian, speak with him...fight with him?

Wah, wah, wah. Way to ruin a mood. We’ll be on opposite sides of the war, with far different goals.

“Why would you pair me against him?” I ask.

Expression grave, Levi says, “The importance of this mission...the consequences if you fail... I will do anything to ensure you do everything you can to save us. If you can convince Mr. Flynn to help us, even better.”

My stomach twists. But no pressure, right?

“Train me,” I tell him. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

A glint of approval. “Meet your teammates. The ones you’ll be working with directly. Everyone has a different specialty, and I believe you’ll complement each other well, despite the lack of experience. Like Archer, Victor spent time with Killian before he defected. And considering Killian helped you rescue Kayla and Reed from Many Ends, they’re the least likely to attack him and the most likely to aid you. Clay and Meredith love you and will guard you with their lives.”