Lifeblood (Everlife #2)(83)
Jeremy’s nanny, Millicent, carries my baby brother in her arms. I’m so happy to see him I whimper.
He gurgles and reaches for me. —Ten!—
His voice fills my head. “Are all infants able to communicate through the Grid?” I ask Levi.
He frowns. “Jeremy speaks to you through the Grid?”
Chewing my bottom lip, I nod. “He doesn’t talk to you?”
“No.” Levi rubs two fingers and a thumb against his chin and studies my brother. “To do so at such a young age...”
Means he’s strong. I smile.
Deciding not to touch the little boy yet, considering I just came into contact with Penumbra, I wave. “Hey, buddy. I’ve missed you so much.”
Levi collects him—and the ball Millicent is holding—and sits on the floor, placing Jeremy between his outstretched legs.
“Call if you need me.” She makes her getaway.
I take a spot on the other side of my brother. He giggles as we roll the ball back and forth.
“Killian wants to defect,” I say, watching Levi closely to gauge his reaction. “He won’t actually do it, though.”
His expression never falters. “Through feed recorded by the Eye, I’ve seen the way Mr. Flynn looks at you. He’ll do it. You are necessary to him.”
I want to preen, sigh dreamily, ask a million questions and frown all at the same time.
“Whatever you said to him worked,” Levi continues. “He released Mr. Prince.”
A cool tide of relief washes through me. Thank you, Killian. “Is Victor in Troika? Is he okay?”
“He is and he’s fine, though he doesn’t remember anything that happened.”
Wait. “Killian wiped his mind?”
Levi tugs the end of his earlobe. “It’s possible, but I don’t know how he could have done it.”
“I’ll ask Killian for details.” And get him into more trouble? I chew on my bottom lip. “Will you help me help him?”
He smiles, as if I’ve just given him the perfect Christmas present. “Yes, Miss Lockwood. I’ll help you.”
His willingness doesn’t surprise me. Levi wants the best for me and even for Killian. He’s that kind of guy.
“Why is Myriad in the dark?” If I’m going to win this battle with Killian, I need to know more about his home. “Why are the citizens drawn to shadows rather than Light?”
Levi and I share a chuckle when Jeremy accidently bumps the ball with his foot.
“Did you know a bridge used to connect Troika and Myriad, and Light used to shine upon both realms?” Levi asks. “True Light comes from the Firstking, the sun a little piece of his heart. Then the Prince of Ravens attacked his father’s kingdom—the Rest. Myriad was cast into darkness, Ambrosine disowned, and the bridge burned. He attacked his brother’s kingdom next.”
“Ambrosine is the problem, then. Not the people.” A captain decides the direction the ship travels. A leader feeds his people truth or lies, filling everyone with love or hate.
How can I use this information to foster peace? Turn my sights to the death of Ambrosine?
What if the bridge could be rebuilt...?
Levi regards me curiously. “I suppose you’re right. The Everlife Grids flow from their kings. Myriadians are connected to Ambrosine, and Troikans to Eron.”
Zero! One step forward, two steps back. “Kill one, kill all?”
“I honestly don’t know,” he says on a sigh. “As you can guess, a prince has never been killed.”
We lapse into silence, lost in our own thoughts. I continue to pass the ball to Jeremy. By the time my brother’s eyelids begin to droop, I’m at full strength, certain I’m darkness free. I pick him up, rock him to sleep in my arms, and carry him to the nursery—Levi shows me the way since we’re in his house. I place my baby bro in his crib and kiss his temple.
“Where’s Victor now?” I whisper.
“He’s home, resting. Miss Brooks is with him, ensuring he has everything he needs.”
Good.
We exit the nursery, and Levi pats me on the shoulder. “Go home. You could use some rest yourself. You’ve had a tough day. Forget about Lina’s song for the night. My brilliant mind is on the task.”
Swept up by a wave of affection, I throw my arms around him. “Thank you. For everything.”
He gives me an awkward pat on the back. “Yes, well.” He clears his throat. “You had better take off before I decide to make you run laps.”
I snort but I also beat feet to the nearest Stairwell. When I exit, I’m a few blocks from the cathedral.
The streets are crowded today, families, friends and coworkers meandering through the different stalls, where linens, hand-carved furnishing and decorations are being sold. I guess everyone decided to visit the outdoor markets at once.
There’s a mix of robes and catsuits, a totally different fashion vibe than I’m used to seeing.
“Hi, Ten!” Clementine calls.
Winifred grins and waves. “Glad to see you’re back on your feet. Want to shop with us?”
Their warm reception is refreshing. “I’m tempted, but I’ve been commanded to rest.”
“Well, poop. Maybe next time.”