“What happens if Dior defects, but I fail to cleanse her of—you know?” I ask, back inside the pressure cooker, the setting jacked to high.

    “You won’t fail,” Reed says, but there’s a catch in his voice.

    “Help me understand. Why make covenant with Dior now?” I croak. “Why not wait until she’s been cleansed?” I know Penumbra is said to only affect humans, but what will happen to our Grid if she dies? Can’t be good for us.

    “We do not cherry-pick our humans.” Kayla wags a finger in my face. “We offer sanctuary to one and all. Always. We are equals, one life just as important as any other, and circumstances do not dictate our behavior.”

    A philosophy I believe with all my heart. And yet... “By accepting Dior, I suspect we’ll be endangering millions of other lives. Troikan lives.”

    “We’ll be endangering millions of other lives if we reject her.” Reed pinches the bridge of his nose. “If there’s a reason to reject one, then there will be a reason to reject others. When we place restrictions on our aspirants, we break the laws we were built upon. We become Myriad.”

    Kayla twines her fingers with mine and presses our joined hands against her raging heartbeat. Desperation radiates from her. “You must cleanse her of Pen—darkness. You must. That is the solution to every problem.”

    The pressure cooker just might blow.

    I release her and massage the back of my neck. “Is there anything here that will help me decode my Key?”

    “Are you kidding? I haven’t unlocked mine.” She holds up her arm, revealing three symbols descending from elbow to wrist. A raindrop, a winding line and a flame.

    Reed holds out his arm, rolls up his sleeve, and shows me three animals branded into his flesh: a lion, a lamb and a fish. “I’m still locked as well, but I’ve done some digging. Our Keys are some type of cipher.”

    He’s...right. Excitement sparks. I can’t believe I overlooked the key to our Key. Hope unfurls, and it’s kindling for the excitement. Somewhere in Troika there’s a note...maybe a letter to trainees, or a specific book...even a speech that’s been given. Something! Those words will correspond with my numbers and their symbols and unlock the Grid.

    My number brands throb, and I know beyond a doubt I’m on the right track.

    “Where is Dior now?” I ask.

    “Elizabeth convinced her to go into hiding,” Reed says.

    If this isn’t proof Troika values free will, nothing is. Lives are at stake, and yet we allowed Dior to make her own decision.

    He points to a line of text that’s been redacted. “We won’t know where she is, exactly, until Elizabeth meets with Madame Meredith tomorrow morning. That’s when the rest of us will be sent to her.”

    I fought some of my roughest battles outside a Troikan safe house. Looking back, I’m glad they happened. They tested my limits, pushed me to change and to grow. To toughen up.

    “How am I supposed to fight the big P?” I ask.

    “According to Levi, we’re to observe only.” Kayla nudges me. “Remember?”

    Right. When we observe, we learn. And I desperately need to learn.

    “Dior has had a terrible couple of years.” Kayla’s chin trembles. “We need to help her. If we don’t, who will?”

    Zero! She’s right. If any of my friends were in her position, I would move heaven and earth to help. How can I do less for Dior? Besides, I promised Archer I would do everything I could to ease her burden.

    So that’s what I’ll do.

    “I will find a way to help her,” I say. “Is there anything else I need to know before I take off?”

    “Yes.” Warm breath strokes my nape. “You can take the rest of the information with you.”

    I whip around to glare at Raanan, who is now standing behind me. “Personal boundaries are invisible but real. Please use yours.”

    Amusement sparkles in his eyes. He holds up his hands, all innocence, his robe falling to his elbows to reveal his Key, three different types of swords. I’m not sure if he’s trying to torment me or make peace.

    “He’s right.” Reed takes my hand and presses my palm to the edge of the table, where my Troikan brand meets a brand that’s been etched into the glass. “Here are a few little tidbits. You can study them tonight.”

    Just as quickly as the pages appeared on the table surface, the information they contain uploads into my data pad. Or maybe directly into my mind. Dizziness overwhelms me. Too much, too much. Too fast!

    A few little tidbits? my brain cells shout.

    “Isn’t osmosis fun?” Kayla says with a laugh.

    “No!” I grate.

    “Give it moment,” Reed replies.

    Raanan adds, “Everything will settle into place in three...two...one.”

    Thank the Firstking, the dizziness fades. I draw in a deep breath, slowly release it, and comprehend the information overload is in the process of nestling, settling to the back of my mind to await my study.

    “Okay, I think I’m a fan of osmosis.” I rub my temples in an effort to ward off a weird tingling sensation. “Thanks for—”

    Raanan walks away without another word. What an odd duck. When he decides to stop being standoffish, he goes all the way. I’m still not sure what to make of him.

    “Hey, do you want to come over later to go through the information with me?” I ask. “You can bring manna since I’m almost out...” Hint, hint.

    “Oh, I wish,” Kayla says, “but I made plans.” She opens her mouth to say more, thinks better of it and snaps her jaw closed.