Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

Subject: Excellent job!

Your skill continues to amaze me, Mr. Flynn. One small quibble. You were supposed to pretend to kill our soldiers in order to “save” Miss Lockwood’s life, thereby placing her in your debt. You actually killed them. Why?

Whatever the reason, I can’t bring myself to punish you. Miss Lockwood seems willing to do anything to keep you safe.

Do you think she’s ready to take the next step and betray her realm for your sake?

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



* * *



From: K_F_5/23.53.6

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: No!

I need more time.

As for your men—oops. My bad. No, you know what? It’s their bad. They held me back at knifepoint and REPEATEDLY INJURED TENLEY LOCKWOOD. She was not supposed to be injured in ANY way. They could have killed her. If they had, you would have lost your ace. Is that what you want?

Might Equals Right!

ML, Killian Flynn





MYRIAD



* * *



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: K_F_5/23.53.6

Subject: Focus on the details that matter None of the injuries Miss Lockwood sustained were life-threatening. How do I know? She survived. But without some type of injury, she could have saved herself. You wouldn’t have been needed.

I’m beginning to wonder if your feelings for Miss Lockwood are genuine, after all. I’m also beginning to wonder why you’ve been disconnecting from the Grid so often, preventing me from reviewing your daily activities. I’ve given you great leeway and let you do your thing. Now we do things my way. Explain yourself.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



* * *



From: K_F_5/23.53.6

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: Was the risk truly worth it?

ANY injury has the potential to be life-threatening. What if Miss Lockwood had been unable to obtain manna and hemorrhaged to death?

What happened to your plan to trust me?

Let me be clear about this, in case any other opportunities to harm her arise. Hurt her, and I hurt you. News flash: you cannot defeat Troika without her. Myriad has tried for centuries. If she dies, the entire realm will be forced to pay a high price. Myriad will lose the war. Citizens will lose their realm, homes and families. And why will this happen? Because of your orders.

You once told me you love your realm. Do you really want to be the one who destroys it?

As for my disconnection from the Grid. The reason should answer both of your concerns. If you haven’t noticed, Miss Aubuchon’s feed has been going dark at the exact same time. What can you deduce from that?

Might Equals Right!

ML, Killian Flynn





MYRIAD



* * *



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: K_F_5/23.53.6

Subject: You’re right I shouldn’t have doubted your motives. Your passion is clear. For Myriad and for Miss Aubuchon. I support your romantic relationship. There’s no need to go dark again.

I apologize for my actions. In my zeal to reach our goal, I placed our realm in danger. I won’t do so again, you have my word.

However, what’s done is done. This is the perfect opportunity to reap the fruits provided by our labors. Whether you feel ready to take the next step or not. Because, if Miss Lockwood doesn’t begin to aid our cause, she will only continue to hurt it, and we will be forced to consider elimination.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





chapter fourteen



* * *



“Trust in Fate. If one door closes, simply wait. Another will open.”

—Myriad

As I exit the Veil of Wings, the sense of calm and rightness I usually experience gives way to grief. Without Killian’s arms around me, holding the world at bay, I begin to spiral.

“I’m sorry,” I say as Victor releases me. “I didn’t mean—”

“No need to apologize. I understand. You love him. You wanted to protect him.”

Does he understand? His voice is unruffled, but a muscle is jumping under his eye.

I hand him the gun I stole from him. “Meredith is dead. I lost her.” The words are glass shards in my throat. I didn’t just lose her—I lost my way.

“I know. Troika lost a great Leader today.”

I don’t care about her station or her title. To me, she wasn’t a Leader. She was an amazing grandmother.

“You’ll see her again, Ten.” Victor pats my shoulder. “You know you will. It’s only a matter of time.”

He doesn’t mention the Resurrection, and I don’t have to wonder why. He still wants Archer to win.

Do I?

“She saved me. I’d rather she lived, and I died.” I wrap my arms around my middle. The hated position of defeat.

“She knew, and she felt the same about you.”

Love is the single most essential part of our lives, a need we all share, and yet it’s always been invisible to the naked eye. Until today. Today I saw love in its purest form.

Meredith loved me enough to die for me.

A sob climbs up my throat, a poem drifting through my mind.

I can’t say goodbye. This isn’t goodbye.

You’re gone, but you’re still here.

You’re still here with me, deep in my heart.

I’ll hold you close. I won’t let you go.

When I train, you’ll be with me.

When I shine, it’s your Light others will see.

When I hurt, your memory will be my comfort.

We’ll be together. You and me. Forever.

But not today. Today you’re gone.

No matter where I look, you’re not here.

When I cry, you’re not here to hold me.

When I sob, you’re not here to comfort me.

When I quiet, you’re not here.

Why aren’t you here?

Today I’m alone.

Usually my poems have a double meaning. A negative and positive side. I can think of nothing positive about this situation. Hot tears flow down my cheeks.

“Meredith is in a better place. And so are you,” Victor says. “Everyone in Troika will trust you now. Your wants—and the Laborers you desire to have on your team—will matter.”

I frown at him. “What are you talking about?”

He grins. Grins! “You’ll be able to sway the Resurrection.”

I don’t care! “I still don’t understand,” I say, managing to temper my voice.

“I saw the Myriad soldiers you slayed. You should be proud. You should be celebrating.”

My hands ball into fists. His words are a slap in the face. Killian is the one who killed the soldiers, but I can’t praise him without exposing his secret, and that I will not do.

I want to scream. I want to scream until my voice is gone. I’m supposed to save us all, but I couldn’t even save my grandmother. I couldn’t save one person. A person I loved. A special woman with a special purpose of her own.

Everything starts and ends with one. If I’m Troika’s last hope, we’re all doomed.

I can’t deal with this. It’s too much.

“I’m going home,” I croak.

“You can’t. We have to visit the Sanatorium. The Troikan version of a hospital. After every battle, we’re required to see a Healer.”