He looks so much like his brother I can’t help but soften against him.

    “How do you like Troika so far?” he asks.

    I scan the sea of faces for Elizabeth, but she’s nowhere to be found. Kayla is frowning at me. When she notices my gaze, she spins away.

    Odd. “The land or the people?” I ask Victor.

    “I’ll take that to mean you love the land but want to throat-punch some of the people.” He flattens a hand on my shoulder and the other at my lower back, careful not to delve anywhere he shouldn’t. “Here’s what you don’t know. One of the soldiers Killian killed—Elizabeth was dating him.”

    Oh...zero. My shoulders roll in. “How do I earn her forgiveness?”

    “If forgiveness has to be earned, it isn’t forgiveness.”

    A high-pitched scream assaults my ears, and panic sweeps through the crowd.

    “Help,” a girl shouts. Young Fatima? “Help them! Please!”

    Another newbie rushes past me, a look of terror on her face.

    “It’s all right.” A guy chases after her. “It’s not what it seems.”

    I wrench from Victor’s arms and dart in the opposite direction, closing in on the still-screaming Fatima. She’s on the floor, curled into a ball, staring ahead as if she’s just come face-to-face with her worst fear. Multiple people attempt to comfort her.

    “What—” I spot the reason for her upset and cry out.

    Killian. Killian is here. He’s chained to a column, his feet engulfed in flames, his features contorted in agony. He screams. Clay is chained to the column next to him, his feet also engulfed by flames. He jerks at his bonds to no avail.

    As I sprint over, three facts occur to me. 1) Not a single General, Leader or Laborer is concerned for the boys. 2) The flames emit zero heat. 3) The air is fresh, no hint of burning leather or flesh.

    However, there’s no time to ponder the reasons. No time to waste with a debate about whom to save first. Clay is Troikan. Any soldier here will happily rush to his aid. No one but me will free Killian.

    I unsheathe the knife discreetly hidden under my skirt and slide the rest of the way across the marble pathway to stop behind Killian. I reach for the lock on his chains and—

    Go still. My hand ghosted through him.

    Confused, I pat at him. He is 100 percent intangible to me.

    I don’t understand. I lean over and reach for Clay. My hand ghosts through him, too.

    A hologram, I realize. Only a hologram.

    Relief blends with a potent mix of anger and dread. Who would create such a sickening scenario? And why?

    No need to ponder the answers for long. A smug Elizabeth stands nearby. Her friend is with her—and so is the real Clay. Hurt shimmers in his eyes. Even though he wasn’t in any kind of danger, he knows what I know: once again, I opted to save someone else first.

    “I told you,” Elizabeth announces. “We aren’t safe with our new Conduit around. She will always choose a Myriadian over a Troikan.”

    MYRIAD

* * *

    From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

    To: K_F_5/23.53.6

    Subject: An introduction, a request and a question

    Our first assignment together! I hope you’re as excited as I am, Mr. Flynn. I’ve heard good things about you, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in action. I know it will take time for you to fully trust me, and I understand. I’m currently an unknown to you.

    Going forward, there are two things you should know about me: I love my realm, and I will cross any line to protect those placed in my care. I encourage you to reach our goal—freedom for all—any way you see fit. I will never oppress you with ridiculous rules; I ask only that you show me the respect my position is due and keep me informed.

    Now, about our assignment. I hope you comprehend victory isn’t our only end goal. We are fighting for our very way of life. The right to feel our emotions rather than ignore them. The right to play after a hard day of work and enjoy the time we’ve been given. The right to shuck conformity, to no longer be mindless drones but individuals with singular needs and wants.

    We must prove to Miss Tenley Lockwood just how much better Myriad is for her. For everyone!

    I’d love to hear your plans to accomplish this, and I’d appreciate confirmation that your seeming affection for Miss Lockwood is exaggerated for the sake of the mission. What you tell me, I’ll believe. I’ll trust you until you give me reason to doubt you, and you’ll trust me. I believe in give-and-take.

    Oh! One final note. I received an incident report early this morning. Apparently you tossed Sloan Aubuchon across the training room. Was such violence against your charge necessary?

    Might Equals Right!

    Sir Zhi Chen

    MYRIAD

* * *

    From: K_F_5/23.53.6

    To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

    Subject: A statement, a truth and a pat on the back

    Rest assured, I understand the importance of my mission. If Troika loses Miss Lockwood, they will fall and Myriad will rise.

    If you’ve read my file, you know I’ve lied, cheated and seduced for our realm. I’m good at it. Very good. But I will always be honest with you.

    Question: Do you truly believe my affection for a Troikan could be genuine? Rest assured I’m more determined than ever, and I’ll do whatever I must to reach my goal.

    As for Sloan Aubuchon, I didn’t toss her across the training room once—I tossed her across the training room three times. She will never again attack an instructor from behind, no matter how much she hates him. You’re welcome, Myriad.