Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

“But,” he says, and I shake my head.

“No buts.” I press my lips into his, despite the pain. The kiss, like the one in my dreams, is over far too quickly. “If I must, I’ll force your hand. And you should want me to do so, eh? After all, as long as you’re in Myriad, my life is in danger.”

His eyes narrow to tiny slits. “Are ye manipulating me, lass?”

“I did learn from the master.”

The tender moment ends with a bang, the front door swinging open, countless MLs rushing inside. They aren’t alone. Countless TLs rush in behind them.

The two armies clash together. Grunts, groans and clangs sound. Spears and arrows fly.

Killian and I roll apart, and he moves to block me from my Shell.

“Get out of here,” he commands.

I end up next to the unconscious Javier...and an idea strikes. “You’re right. It’s time for me to go. Just know that everything I do, I do for you.”

As I talk, I type into my data pad, sending Kayla an urgent message. Help! Can you transport my Shell next to me? Also, I need a location switch with a human in tow. Like, now!

Javier is infected with Penumbra, yes, and the Light will hurt him, but he’s sleeping so—fingers crossed—he’ll never know.

My Shell appears at my side in a blaze of Light. Kayla did it! With a quick spin, I slip inside and anchor. Then I reach out, clasping Javier’s hand.

“Ten!” Killian shouts, realizing what I’m planning. “Don’t! They’ll never let ye—”

His voice cuts off as a blaze of Light slams into me. The gym disappears, and a new location takes shape around me.





MYRIAD



* * *



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: K_F_5/23.53.6

Subject: You have some explaining to do Reports have come in, and my soldiers tell me you tried to stop Miss Lockwood from taking Mr. Diez from the gym. Why is that, Mr. Flynn? For our plan to work, the two need to be together.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



* * *



From: K_F_5/23.53.6

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: I’m really tired of having to explain myself Dude. Chill. Miss Lockwood is a smart girl. She suspects we’re planning to use the infected humans against her. What’s wrong with making it look like I objected?

Anyway.

I know you told me to take the weekend off and enjoy a little sexy time with Sloan. For a job well done today I’d rather be rewarded with another assignment. What would you like me to do?

Might Equals Right!

ML, Killian Flynn





MYRIAD



* * *



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: K_F_5/23.53.6

Subject: I still have doubts There’s a girl in Paris. A distant relative of Miss Lockwood. She’s Unsigned. You want to prove your loyalty beyond any doubt? Sign her.

Afterward, return to Myriad so we can chat about your abduction of Victor Prince.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





    TROIKA



* * *



    From: T_L_2/23.43.2

    To: L_N_3/19.1.1

    Subject: I have Javier Diez

    What am I supposed to do with him?

    Light Brings Sight!

    Conduit-in-training,

    Ten Lockwood

    PS: Peace by Piece: Possible new motto for our realm?????





    TROIKA



* * *



    From: L_N_3/19.1.1

    To: T_L_2/23.43.2

    Subject: What do you think?

    Talk some sense into him.

    Light Brings Sight! Let’s stick with the old one. It actually works.

    General Levi Nanne





chapter eighteen



* * *



“Sometimes good people have to do bad things.”

—Myriad

Kayla, for whatever reason, decides to send me to a ratty motel room. I grimace as I look around. The ceiling is spotted with mold, the carpet is stained with...something I don’t want to contemplate and the furniture is top-of-the-line Goodwill.

A snoring Javier appears on the floor at my feet.

As I wait for him to wake, I send a message to Kayla: Couldn’t we have sprung for a 3-star place?

I’m pretty sure there are STDs on every bangable surface of the room. Not that I’ll complain...much. My Shell can be bleached. Or burned. Yeah. Burning is probably the way to go. I just hope the next one is pimple free.

My comm glows, and I read her reply: You asked for a location switch ASAP. I gave you ASAP, the closest public housing owned by a Troikan. It shouldn’t be in need of repairs. According to our records, we paid to have the entire place refurbished. BTW Levi has TLs and TMs posted around the building.

The owner must have used the money for other purposes. I wonder how that will be dealt with.

Not important right now. Maybe Javier will wake in a good mood if he’s on the bed instead of the floor? Since my Shell is stronger than a human body, I have no trouble lifting him onto one of the twin beds. By the time I straighten, however, I’m trembling.

Weakened by Penumbra?

I back away from him. At the window, I stand between the curtains, letting golden rays of sunlight strengthen me.

Five minutes stretches into ten. I perch at the end of the vacant bed. Amid the silence, Lina’s newest song plays through my mind. One fox in the henhouse. In two days, he’ll try to eat his mouse. Three, yes, three warnings will come. By four five six, you’ll be glum. Look, look, look, for the seven. Eight, nine, Ten is in heaven...

Could Javier be the fox? He’s the closest thing to an Abrogate, after all.

What warnings will sound, and why will I be glum? What is the seven?

My brain must be fried, because I’m stumped.

Finally Javier arches his back, stretching his arms over his head. My heart pounds a wild beat as he blinks open his eyes.

When he sees me, he jolts upright and frowns. “Who are you?” His gaze darts through the room. “Where are we?”

Let the games begin.

“I’m Ten, your Troikan Laborer. As to our location... I suspect we’re in a human petri dish.”

He rubs the palms of his hands into his eyes. “I told the last guy I want nothing to do with your realm.”

“And I forgive you,” I say, batting my lashes at him. “I’m sure you didn’t mean it. Otherwise you would have already signed with Myriad.”

“Wrong. I like to keep my options open.”

“So I hear.”

He eases onto the pillows and pats the spot next to him. “You want to stay and talk about where I’ll live in the Unending, you’ll have to get naked.”

Do women actually find him charming?

I’m not shy—how could I be? During my year in Prynne, cameras watched me every second of every day, even while I showered. Guards, who were allowed to view the feed, often propositioned me.

“No thanks. I’m dating Killian. You remember him, right? The guy who popped you in the face.”

“So what?” Another pat. “You and I can still be...friendly.”

Irritation flares. “You are dating Dior Nichols.”

At last he backs down. “Is she here?”

“Nope. Sorry. But she’s safe.”