“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.

    Well. Now I understand why my pals dressed me up like a good time girl. I’m supposed to be some kind of eye candy for the dangerous man-child.

    I’m both offended and flattered. And okay, okay. I’m grateful. I need every edge I can get.

    I’m going against Killian. He’s better with females, sure. There’s no one better at seducing the opposite sex to his side. But he’s also the kind of guy Javier appreciates most; a hard-core guy’s guy, rough and tough, mad and bad to the bone.

    In the end, there will be a winner and a loser. We both hate to lose.

    If I’m victorious, will he be sent to the Kennels?

    If he’s victorious, will I resent him?

    I shudder, wondering if this time—with us—love will be enough to keep us together. Lives hang in the balance.

    “All right.” Enough wallowing about what could or might be. Fear will never be my friend. “I’ve got about forty minutes to spare before crashing Javier’s meeting with Killian. I’d like to visit Dior and Clay. Help me?”

    And afterward... I’d like to visit with Aunt Lina.

    I mean, I’m heading into dangerous territory. What if I’m killed? If I don’t see Lina today, I might not get another chance. More than that, I’m trusting Levi in every other area of my life. Why not this? If he thinks I can make a difference in Lina’s Everlife, I’ll set aside my grievances and speak with her.

    “Of course.” Kayla squeezes my hand. “May your visit and your mission be enlightened.”

    As I race to the Veil of Wings, Kayla heads to the Eye, where she’ll be watching my progress, warning me of incoming attacks and doing her best to anticipate my needs. A job Meredith should be doing.

    The thought jolts me, and I lose my footing. This will be my first mission without my grandmother.

    I wince as a hot poker of grief stabs into my chest.

    Lockdown!

    I message Levi, telling him my plan to spend half my time with Dior and the other half with my aunt. He grants his permission, even arranging for an escort to meet me at the Veil.

    Sure enough, Deacon is there. Like me, he’s still in a Shell.

    “Today I’m your Flanker,” he says.

    A Flanker is sub-position of Laborer, meaning to guard and chronicle my exploits.

    “Thank you.” He once flanked Archer, and he is the best of the best. “Feel free to ignore the troubadour aspects of your job.”