Lifeblood (Everlife #2)(93)

The fight drains out of her, and she reclines. “I feel so guilty. The Resurrection... I’m not going to vote for Claus. We need the Conduit too badly.”

Her willingness to let go of her boyfriend for the needs of the realm tears me up. “I know,” I say softly. “I want to vote for Archer or Meredith, but...”

My brands begin to glow, a short message from Clay hovering over my palm.

We’ve got problems.

Can’t catch a break. “I have to go.” I jump to my feet, saying, “Dior might be in trouble.”

“Go,” she says, and waves me away. “And, Ten?”

I pause. I think this is the first time she’s used my name.

Raanan enters the room, his features tight with concern. “You okay? I just heard.”

Elizabeth’s focus remains on me. “I forgive you.”

“I forgive you, too.” I return to her side to hug her before patting Raanan on the shoulder. “Both of you.”

“Me?” He snorts. “What’d I do besides look too good for your peace of mind?”

I roll my eyes and race out. I take a Stairwell, messaging Levi along the way. At my apartment, I collect my Shell and cover the hands with leather gloves. Consumed by urgency, I race to the Veil.

Kayla, who is at the Eye, speaks to me through the Grid. —All clear.—

Through the water...whoosh...I land inside Prynne, greeted by chaos.

Javier is whaling on Clay, who is doing his best to stop the human without inflicting injury. Dior is screaming, begging the boys to stop.

Heart a thunderstorm in my chest, I shove the combatants apart. The gloves prevent skin-to-skin contact.

Worked into a rage, Javier shouts, “You don’t touch her. You don’t ever touch her.” He tries to bypass me to get to Clay. I shove him with more force, and he stumbles back.

“Enough,” I command. “Calm down or head for the mountains.”

He huffs and puffs like the big bad wolf, but he stays put.

Clay rubs his jaw, his Shell’s skin shredded. He’s always been a lover, not a fighter, but I’m proud of him. He held his own.

“She had a seizure.” He drains the vial of manna hanging around his neck. “I rolled her to her side and, well, you saw the results.”

Dior rushes to Javier. She rips a piece of material from her T-shirt and covers the cuts on his knuckles. “Thank you for protecting me, baby. I love you so much.”

Protecting her? From Clay? This doesn’t strike me as very Dior-like behavior. Has Penumbra strengthened her feelings for Javier, a meathead willing to sleep with anyone breathing? Black veins now wind across every inch of visible flesh.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “Why don’t you take a break, Clay, and—”

“No,” he says with a shake of his head. “I’m staying. I’m useful here.”

“Fine.” I hold up my hands, palms out. Stupid free will. I glare at Javier. “If you attack Clay or any other Troikan, you’ll have to deal with me. You remember what happened the last time we touched, don’t you?”

Free will works both ways. I can choose to kick his butt.

He glares right back.

To err on the side of caution, I message Levi to request a handful of TLs and TMs to help Clay. We’ve kept the location secret to protect Dior and Javier from Myriad but—if Killian is right—the realm doesn’t really want to steal either one of them.

I try to speak with Dior, but she steps back every time I step forward.

“Will you just go?” She rubs her arms, as if she’s cold.

“You heard her.” Javier points to the door. “Go.”

I’d take it personally, but I think I know what they’re feeling toward me. Repulsion. Their darkness is a revolting pulse against my skin, one I can’t wait to escape.

Clay hugs me and whispers, “Believe it or not, I’m making strides with Dior. I can’t give up.”

I understand, and I admire his tenacity, his tender heart. “Message me if you need me.”

“Will do.”

Good luck, I mouth and return home.

*

Midnight. 2:01. 4:39. I pace through my bedroom, the Blessing and Cursing clutched in my hands. I continue to watch the clock.

As promised, my team is inside my apartment while guards patrol the rest of the building. Lina’s song plays through my mind again and again, and I exhaust myself digging for answers.

One fox in the henhouse. In two days, he’ll try to eat his mouse.

Two days have passed. Today is the day. Anytime now.

Three, yes, three warnings will come. By four five six, you’ll be glum. Look, look, look, for the seven. Eight, nine, Ten is in heaven...

Does “Ten is in heaven” mean I’m going to experience Second-death and enter into the Rest?

My nerves are razed, my calm facade nothing but rubble. I’m not ready to die. I have too much to do.

The lights suddenly switch off, a total eclipse of darkness, startling me.

My brands glow as the lights flick back on, and I moan, expecting the worst. Levi says: Every TL in your building just fell into a state of unconsciousness. The fox is in the henhouse. I’m on my way. Tell me you’re safe.

Three warnings. This must be the second, the lights the first. Zero! My apartment is the henhouse. Because I’m not alone anymore. My team is here with me. Victor, Deacon, Elizabeth, Reed and Kayla.