“Don’t think about consequences, only desire. Do you want to join me?”

    Those blue-gold eyes lower and snag on my lips. He says one word, only one, but it seals his fate. “Yes.”

    I want to shout with joy. One word, but I’m forever changed.

    “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.