Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

The wise will rise, and the fools will duel.

There isn’t an easy way to prep her. There’s only a hard way. But even that might not work!

I’m too dazed to protest as Deacon steers me out of the courtroom. A Myriadian walks past us and snickers.

My hands ball, but remain at my sides. Fools will duel.

Insight from the Grid. And true! Breaking one of the Firstking’s rules will do me no good.

We say goodbye to the guard tower and step into the Gate. When we exit, Levi is blocking the Veil of Wings, his expression stern.

“We received intel,” he says in lieu of a greeting. “Javier Diez has an appointment with Mr. Flynn in roughly one hour. We’d like you to meet with him, Miss Lockwood.”

Killian. My heart flutters. See him? Yes. Please. Deal with Javier Diez? No way.

“I’m not ready.” Inadequacy delivers a one-two punch to my throat. What if I screw everything up? Alienate him? Get him killed? “I’d rather search for Victor.” I haven’t done nearly enough for my friend.

“Search and rescue isn’t your job, Miss Lockwood.” Levi pins me with a hard stare. A look he’s got nailed. “Your job is whatever I assign you. Remember that.”

I disappointed him. Zero! “What if this is another trap?”

“It’s not.” He pivots on his heel and strides under the water.

I follow him, entering Troika, and breathe deeply of the sweetened air, better able to center my thoughts...to focus on who and what I am. The brave and mighty Ten Lockwood. The Secondking said so. Twice!

The only way to fail is to quit. I can help Javier and Dior. I can and I must.

“How do you know?” I insist.

“You’re just going to have to trust me.”

“All right. I’ll go,” I say. “But what about Javier’s free will? He refused our aid.”

“His three-greats grandfather petitioned for a second chance.”

I spot Reed and Kayla standing under a tree. He’s holding a bundle of clothes, and she’s clutching three Whells and two weapons. Wait. Those are my weapons. My staff and my ring.

“Why?” I ask.

“We stopped by your apartment, picked up a few things.” Kayla shoves the weapons at Deacon and tugs at my robe. In unison, the boys turn, presenting me with their backs while also providing a shield from any nearby observers. “Hope you don’t mind.”

“Hey!” I exclaim as the robe hits the floor. “The wardrobe change can wait.”

“Would it have killed you to wear matching underwear?” she mutters, taking the bundle of clothes from Reed.

“Maybe. If I ever did laundry and the machine fell on top of me,” I retort.

Smiling, she helps me dress in one of my black catsuits. One of the scantier catsuits. I knock her hands out of the way to finish the chore myself, and as I work, she brushes and twines my hair into... I don’t even know what kind of style.

Kayla straps a double-sided pouch to my back, and stores two Whells. Then she breaks the staff in two and hands me the pieces. “You’re up, Reed.”

“Here.” He turns and slips a small round Whell on the Shell’s finger and Meredith’s ring on mine. “Just don’t go getting any ideas,” he mutters.

“Dream on, buddy. Or don’t. Yeah, probably don’t dream about me. I’d have to smack you.”

I slide the swords into the Whells.

Kayla slaps her hands together in a job well done gesture. “You’re ready.”

“So, what do you want me to do with Javier?” I ask Levi.

“Succeed,” he commands. “Help him. Show him Troikan love. Prove our realm is home.” He taps his palm, types in the glowing keyboard. “You’ve been practicing hard, and your stamina is almost mediocre. You can do this.”

“Wow. I sound ah-maz-ing,” I quip, my tone as dry as the desert. “Practically indestructible.”

“Stay in the Light and allow the Grid to guide you.”

Right.

“You’re probably curious about the reason Mr. Diez is meeting with Mr. Flynn,” Levi says, his eyes gleaming. “Mr. Flynn is now Mr. Diez’s ML. That means you will be competing with your old flame for Mr. Diez’s Everlife.”

My nerve endings buzz with a potent mix of anxiety and excitement. “Way to bury the lead, sir.”

Kayla takes me by the shoulders and peers deep into my eyes. “Ask Killian about Victor. Please. He’ll tell you whatever you want to know. He’s putty in your hands. Just...bring Victor home, okay?”

I’d argue the word putty. And such vehemence is rare for her. Does she like like Victor? I thought she had a thing with Reed.

“I’ll ask,” I promise, wondering if Killian will be punished for answering. Before anyone can request any more favors that could prove detrimental to the boy I love, I return to our original subject. “Let’s go to the Hall of Records so I can research Javier.” I’m going to do this the right way.

Levi nods, and Kayla links her arm with mine.

We reach our destination. General Agape is waiting for us at a table in back. In the human realm, she might be classified as plain, but all I see is beautiful dark eyes filled with strength.

She stands and motions us over. I’m not as at ease with her as I am with Levi and in deference to her station, I bow my head.

“I’ve spoken with General Nanne about the situation. I’ve ensured you have a table and all necessary resources.” She is regal in a metal dress, her innate strength on display. “I command the majority of spies who act as humans in the Land of the Living. I’ve personally compiled all the information we have on Javier Diez.”

“Thank you, General,” I say.

Kayla peers at her, slack-jawed and silent.

General Agape gives us a curt nod and strides off.

When Kayla recovers, she loads me with all the info the General provided. The highlights? Javier is twenty years old, and we share a birthday. October 10 at 10:10.

What are the odds?

Well, that’s actually very easy to answer. The odds are 100 percent, since it actually happened.

I’ve been told my spirit glowed with incomparable Light the moment of my birth. I wonder if his spirit glowed, too.

Multiple Myriadian Generals died the day Javier was born. Multiple Myriadian Generals died the day I was born, too.

I wonder, again, if Javier is the one. The tipping factor in the war.

How many times have I postulated Troika made a huge mistake by selecting me? Now there might be proof to back up my claim.

Zero! I’m wheezing.

What the heck is wrong with me? I should be glad about this. The pressure to win—to save—will be his. If he chooses Troika. Will he? He remains Unsigned.

His mother is Myriadian, but his Troikan father raised him after the divorce; surely the father has more influence over him.

Over the years, Javier grew into a hard-core guy’s guy, sleeping around, drinking as if alcohol poisoning was a myth to be challenged and making money by stealing cars.