Everlife (Everlife #3)

First, I must admit it is an honor to fall under your leadership. Though you are only fourteen, you have been with us since birth, and I have watched you grow into the General of generals.

Second, Killian Flynn contacted me only moments ago. He says he’s bonded with Miss Tenley Lockwood, that he’s in Troika, and that he will soon return to our midst with the girl at his side.

He protected the girl yesterday, yet he’s willing to harm her today? Something is off.

How would you like me to proceed?

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



From: H_S_3/51.3.6

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: Check it Dude! Killian Flynn is the man. He nailed the babe no one else could score, yo.

Okay, so I just had a meet and greet with our queens and they—legit—almost crapped themselves. In fact, I’ve never seen them so excited. To celebrate Killian’s victory, they are throwing a party tonight, and you and yours are invited. BYOB. (Bring your own babes. The queens will supply the beer!) Oh, and they say the K-man is hereby pardoned from all his crimes.

Our Secondking showed up for the last part of the meeting, and he says K doesn’t even remember those crimes, that he’s now on our side, totally and completely.

Side note: If you aren’t ready to die from envy, something’s wrong with you. I’m STILL high on Ambrosine’s power. The intensity, man. My knees literally buckled. I dropped and couldn’t move until he walked away. But the best part of it all? One of his shadows ghosted inside me—and freaking stayed put.

I carry a part of our king!

Chicks have been throwing themselves at me ever since.

Anyway. Alert me the moment the happy couple crosses into Myriad, you dig. K-man will need a Healer to purge him of Light. We’ll use his link to Troika to destroy the realm. His wifey-poo will probably die, so, that’s another plus.

Stick a fork in this war—it’s over!

Might Equals Right!

General Hans Schmidt





MYRIAD



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: V_P_5/20.16.18

Subject: New developments I’ve spoken with Killian Flynn, as well as General Schmidt, who spoke with our queens, and even our Secondking. Mr. Flynn has been pardoned for all his crimes, and he will soon be returning to our midst with the infamous Miss Lockwood in tow. By some miracle, he was able to convince her to bond with him.

Victory will be ours.

Now, were you able to deliver Miss Aubuchon to General Schmidt, as requested? And how is Miss Lockwood’s father doing? Update me.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





MYRIAD



From: V_P_5/20.16.18

To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

Subject: Get your facts straight He’s not my Secondking, he’s my father.

As for Sloan Aubuchon—yes. I delivered her to Hans. (You know him by the name General Schmidt. I know him on a more personal level.) By the way, his plan for her is spectacular. Just wait.

You’ll be happy to know Leonard Lockwood hates his daughter with every fiber of his being. He blames her for his early Firstdeath, and he’s eager to settle the score. He’ll help us any way he can.

Here’s the thing, though. I want to be the one to end her.

Might Equals Right!

ML, Victor Prince





MYRIAD



From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

To: V_P_5/20.16.18

Subject: Be patient Once Mr. Flynn has served his purpose, Miss Lockwood— Mrs. Flynn now?—will have served hers. I’m sure your father will be amenable to giving the pair to you as a gift. They can die right along with Troika.

Might Equals Right!

Sir Zhi Chen





chapter five



“Wise counsel is an invaluable treasure.”

—Troika

Ten

Electric impulses race through my comm, jolting me. One second I’m in the scorched manna field, the next I’m in a private room at the Baths of Restoration, standing in the middle of a pool.

The change of scenery is startling, and I struggle to catch my breath as I orient myself. Four stone walls surround me. Above, there’s no ceiling, allowing me to peer up at the beautiful crimson sky, so peaceful it taunts me.

“It freaking worked.” Clay Anders steps into view. He’s flanked by three others: Reed Haynesworth, Raanan Aarons and Clementine Vickers.

Happiness overtakes me. My friends are here. I met Clay in the Prynne Asylum. He’s the kind of friend others dream of having. Rock solid, loyal and 100 percent dependable.

Reed, I rescued from Many Ends. Raanan and Clementine experienced Firstdeath on the same day as me, so we went through Troikan initiation together. We haven’t always gotten along, but we’ve been through hell and back. Bonds formed. Trust was forged.

Everyone but me is wearing a ceremonial robe. White with green trim = Laborer-in-training.

While Clay is my age, both Reed and Raanan are a year older. All three boys are tall with black hair, but that is where their similarities end. Clay is lean and tanned with wavy locks that frame a classically handsome face, and navy blue eyes. Reed is wider, more striking, with lighter skin, hair that is straight as a board and brown eyes with a beautiful uptilt. Raanan is dark from head to toe and packed with muscle, with midnight eyes filled with the smoldering heat of a desert sun.

Clementine is the youngest, her pale skin covered in adorable freckles. She has pink hair, big hazel eyes and charming features. To me, she looks like a living doll.

Normally my friend Kayla Brooks would be here, too, but she’s currently recovering from a bullet to the face. My hands fist. The shooter? Victor Prince. He convinced her to betray Troika, told her they would bring about the end of the war and when that happened, they could be together. A lie, all a lie. Victor hadn’t wanted the war to end; he’d wanted Troika laid to waste.

He is responsible for the most recent attack. When he failed to win me over to his cause, he tried to assassinate me.

Truth is, even if Kayla were recovered, I doubt she’d be here. Her actions hurt innocent people. A lot of innocent people. Yes, she realized her mistake, and she’s been forgiven by the majority, but no one trusts her. Including me. I love her dearly, but even I have limits.

The muscles in my shoulders bunch into hard knots. I’m the worst kind of person in the world right now—I’m a freaking hypocrite. Again and again, I’ve sided with Killian. How easily my situation could have been like Kayla’s.

If ever Killian had used me…

But he hadn’t. He won’t. There’s a big difference between our boyfriends: Victor sees no value in life other than his own, and Killian does. Or he used to. I don’t know the man he’s become.

I need my old Killian back. Killian 1.0. There’s no beating the original.

With my friends at my sides, I can do anything. Even bring Killian 2.0 into the Light.

The knots unwind, and my tension fades. “How am I here?” I ask. “Better yet, why am I here? And where are your guardian animals?” Dang it, where’s mine? Gimme!

“One question at a time,” Raanan says. “We heard you’d returned from a secret meeting and the first thing you did was visit the Eye. We needed to speak with you, so we had Clem retrace your steps. And I’m still waiting to meet my guardian.”

“Me, too,” the others say in unison.

“Tell us about the secret meeting,” Clay says.

What to admit, and what to hold back? “I’ll tell you, but can we backtrack a minute? Did you say Clementine worked the Eye?” Only Leaders train at the Eye. Last I heard, Clementine was a Laborer.

Grinning, she fluffs her hair. “Didn’t you hear? Lots of people got a promotion, and I’m one of them. Thanks to the Grid, skills were downloaded straight into my brain.”

“While you were gone, announcements were made.” Reed sits at the edge of the pool, and draws one knee up to his chest. “The bombings killed so many, massive restructuring had to be done. Clementine, Rebel, Winifred, Hoshi and Sawyer are to become Leaders.”