Humans scurry for cover, chaos quickly reigning. Killian remains in front of Javier, acting as his guard.

    “Look out,” Killian shouts at me.

    I pivot as two Shell-less MLs race toward me. I’m ready, but Deacon sheds his Shell and blazes over, knocking the two to the ground. His previous opponents charge his now defenseless Shell, not yet realizing he’s left it—except for Sloan. She whips out two .44s, one for each hand, and nails her own teammates in the back of the head.

    Deacon and I jolt with shock.

    “You got this?” I ask Deacon.

    “Without a doubt.”

    I rush to my Shell, sheathe the Blessing and Cursing—I won’t risk cursing Killian—and slip inside the casing. After swiping up two new swords, I climb into the ring. Time is running out.

    Killian looks me over and arches a dark brow. “You planning on stabbing me, lass?”

    “With Cupid’s arrow maybe, but nothing else.”

    His features soften. As he circles me, his gaze lingers on my cleavage. His hands curl into fists—to stop himself from reaching out to touch me? His pupils dilate. “Did you come here to seduce me, then?”

    Does he realize he’s rubbing his 143,10 tattoo?

    Beyond the ring, grunts and groans sound as Deacon and Sloan take out the remaining MLs.

    “Why are you doing this?” the TL says between ragged breaths.

    “Just shut up and kill the witnesses,” she snaps.

    I move with Killian, wishing he would close the distance and yank me into his arms. “When I decide to seduce you, Killian Flynn, you won’t have to ask. Actually, you won’t even have enough breath to ask.”

    “Well, then.” His eyes glitter with wicked intent. “I look forward to your attempt.”

    “You mean my success.”

    “Finished,” Sloan calls. She yanks a sword out of the last ML standing...well, falling, and stalks to a desk in back. She checks the security system. “The humans made it outside to safety.”

    Humans can pass through Bucklers, no problem.

    And sure enough, the rest of the MLs have been finished off. Sixteen in total. I expected more.

    In a blink, Killian’s entire countenance darkens. He goes from pleasure to business, every mask gone. No longer a charmer, he’s a boy who’s devastated beyond repair.

    “Let’s talk frankly, Ten. With your Buckler over the gym, my comm is disabled, and my boss can’t listen in.”

    “What about Sloan? She—”

    “Is on our side.”

    I shake my head in an effort to dismiss my confusion. “Please don’t tell me you trust my murderer.” I know she aided me today. I know I let her live during our previous battle. But we’re discussing matters of the heart right now.

    “Why not? She’s there for me when you aren’t,” he snarls.

    Every ounce of heat drains from me, leaving me rigid with cold. “Are you...are you two...”

    “And now you insult me!” He spits the words at me. “I would never betray you. And she won’t, either. She could have turned on me a thousand times, but she’s helped me in order to help you. Lets our boss believe we’re screwing so we can disable our comms and sneak around the realm, counteracting every plan Myriad has for you.”

    Too much. Too much information to process while I combat far too many conflicting emotions. Betrayed but beloved. In peril but protected. Out of control but steady.

    “You’re here for Javier,” he adds, “but I’m not going to let you have him. He’s too dangerous to you.”

    No way I’ll let him play that particular card. “While you’re sneaking around, actively putting your life in danger, I’m supposed to ignore my job to avoid danger? Do you have any idea how devastated I’d be if something were to happen to you?”

    He disregards my questions, rasping, “Javier doesn’t want to speak with a Troikan. You need to go, and you need to trust me as you promised.”

    I admit it. This card is harder to discount. “I’m staying here. I’m speaking with him.”

    A flash of fury in eyes still capable of making my blood sing. “How do you think Troika found us, Ten? Because we’re bad at hiding? I assure you we’re not. Or because someone informed your realm?”

    “The latter, but—”

    “I’m supposed to put up a fight before I let you have him.”

    “Why? Why would Myriad willingly give him up?”

    “I don’t know the plan. I only know you risk your life every time you’re around him.”

    “Or you want to keep him, so you’re tricking me into leaving,” I snap, and Killian scowls at me. “Javier has a blood relation who asked us to speak with him, so I’m going to speak with him.”

    “The relative isn’t the final authority,” he snaps back.

    I breathe in...out...calming. This is Killian I’m talking to. My love. He’s not lying to me. He believes what he says.

    “You’re right,” I tell him. “The relative doesn’t get to pick for Javier. So Javier can tell me to go—if that’s what he wants. He can even tell me to stay away forever. But he will hear me out first. I’m certain he’ll want an update on Dior.”

    “He’s slept with two different girls in two consecutive days.” His tone is dry. “I think it’s safe to say Javier is over Dior.”