Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

He makes it sound so easy.

He kisses me then, and I welcome him eagerly, losing myself in the moment...losing myself in him, in all that he is—the boy I love, the boy who loves me back. His hands slide down the ridges of my spine while I cling to him. All the while his scent and taste remake me into something—someone—new. I’m no longer Ten, the Conduit who stands alone. I’m Ten, one girl forged by two, with the heart of her entire realm beating in her chest.

When Killian lifts his head, we are both trembling.

His gaze remains hot on mine as he whispers, “An té a luíonn le madaí, eiroidh sé le dearnaid.”

The Grid translates. He who lies down with dogs, gets up with fleas. A little laugh escapes me. “Not exactly the romantic words I dreamed of hearing.”

“They should be. I’m no longer going to lie down with dogs,” he says. “I’ll lie down with the treasure of my heart.”

I melt. And then I gape at him. “You’re going to defect, now rather than later.” I lick my lips, nervous energy overtaking me. Court won’t be pretty for either of us.

“I am.”

“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine,” I tell him.

Under the shelter of each other, people survive.

He smiles at me, and I give him a swift kiss.

“Killian,” I say on a wispy catch of breath. “My answer is yes.”

His hold on me tightens. “You mean...”

“I mean, yes.” I nod. “Yes, I will make covenant with you.”

Shock registers, then pleasure. Then his own bout of nervousness. He cups my face with his big, calloused hands, his thumbs once again brushing over the rise of my cheeks.

“You’re sure, lass? I’m now being hunted by my own people. I can get inside Myriad, but the moment I pass through our Veil, I’ll be met with resistance.”

“We can sneak me inside and we can overcome any resistance together.”

Together, we can find a way into the Kennels and Many Ends. We can save the people being tortured. Maybe, just maybe, we can dethrone Ambrosine and finally usher in peace between the realms.

“You’re sure?” he asks again.

“I’m sure,” I say with a nod.

A radiant smile lifts the corners of his lips. “Then let us begin.”


“Victory comes one day at a time.”

—Ten Lockwood