No way! “She doesn’t even have a Barrister yet.”

    “She does.” He reaches out to pat Dior’s hand. “Me.”

    “You can’t. You’re a General. You’re needed in the realm. We can’t risk—” The rest of my words die on my tongue, killed by the Grid.

    Humans aren’t to know the price we pay. Our sacrifice isn’t to drive theirs.

    My hands fist. —We need you, Levi.—I throw the statement through the Grid as if it’s an accusation.

    —She needs me, too. She needs someone strong to lean on. She needs to know someone will stand beside her, no matter what.—

    —Levi!—He’s willing to risk his life for someone who is currently his enemy.

    And I’m not?

    —If she fails, you die.—I plow on. —No if, ands or buts about it.—

    He offers me a soft smile. —One at a time. That’s how we end a war, yes?—

    Jerk! He’s fighting fire with water.

    “What’s wrong?” Dior asks, looking between us. “What’s going on?”

    Helpless to do otherwise, I say, “Let’s prepare.” We have to convince her to believe in herself and what she wants, no matter what, and all of Troika has her back, no matter what.

    Levi’s brand glows in time with mine. A message from Kayla has comes in. I read it and go cold.

    Clay returned to the LotH. I don’t know why. A short while later, he sent me an SOS. Said someone from Myriad was tailing him. I sent TLs out to aid him, but they can’t find him. Neither can I. His Light has vanished from the Eye. I think Myriad has him.

    chapter twenty-five

* * *

    “Do not be deceived. In everything, there is right, and there is wrong. They are no shades of gray.”

    —Troika

    Levi leaps into action, sending out messages. TLs appear to whisk Dior and Javier away. I’m glad. I don’t want Javier—and the General possessing him—to hear what I have to say.

    “I’m hunting for Clay,” I tell Levi. Why did Clay return to the Land of the Harvest? A General had commanded him to rest.

    “We can’t risk you,” he replies with a shake of his head. “I know you’re probably tired of hearing those words, but they are true nonetheless. Deacon will—”

    “I have to help him.” Somehow. I’ve let Clay down too many times. “I’ve never declined a mission, Levi. Let me do this. I can do what Deacon can’t. I can talk to Killian and gain inside info.” I don’t like pitting the boy I love against his realm, but today I’m going to do it. I love Clay, too, and I will do anything to help him.

    Levi offers a stiff nod and types another message into his keyboard. “No fighting for you,” he insists. “You can stay here, speak with Killian. I’ll give you five minutes. Relay all intel to Deacon when he arrives and return to Troika. Meanwhile, I’ll have other troops out searching.”

    At least Levi trusts Killian to help us and not betray us. A huge step forward. And whether Levi realizes it or not, this trust heralds peace. Not with Myriad, but with Killian himself.

    One person. One change.

    Levi’s gaze locks with mine. “I’d stay with you, but I’ve set a meeting with the other Generals. May your quest be enlightened.” Then he’s gone, vanishing in a blaze of Light.

    Alone, I press my thumb against the symbol for pi that hangs from my neck. As I wait, I pace, too rattled to stay still.

    A burst of shadows suddenly shoots through the ceiling and hits the floor. In the center, Killian appears. He’s in a Shell, like me, concern pulling his features taut.

    “Clay is missing.” I rush to him, throwing my arms around him. “We think Myriad has him.”

    He holds me, and I imagine his peat smoke and heather scent surrounds me. “They do. I managed to convince my Leader I’ve got you at the end of my hook, so I’m still somewhat in the loop. Victor recovered enough to trick Clay into thinking you’d been captured. Clay went to save you, walking right into a trap.”

    This is the worst possible news.

    No! He lives. There’s hope.

    “Do you know where Clay’s being held?” I ask.

    “I don’t. I’m sorry, lass. I’m only being fed select information while I prove my loyalty.” With a sigh, he sits on the couch and tugs me onto his lap. “I know you, and I know you’re planning to go after him. Don’t. His abduction is meant to draw you out.” He reaches in his pocket, pulls out a flash-scribe—what looks to be nothing more than a small black button. “After what you did during the last battle, our Generals fear you.”

    “They should! I’m bad to the bone. Or good to the bone.”

    He smiles and kisses the corner of my mouth, admiration glinting in those blue-gold eyes. “Yes, you are.”

    I snuggle closer. He pets my hair.

    We touch as if we’ll never get another chance.

    My internal clock buzzes, and I stiffen. “I don’t want you to go,” I tell him, “but Deacon is headed this way and—”

    A blaze of Light erupts in front of the door.

    Too late. Deacon appears. He’s dressed in black and armed for war. Fastened to him are a sword, spear and shield. He nods to Killian, then to me. Killian nods back.

    I look from one to the other. “You guys are cool with each other?”