I’m beginning to wonder if your feelings for Miss Lockwood are genuine, after all. I’m also beginning to wonder why you’ve been disconnecting from the Grid so often, preventing me from reviewing your daily activities. I’ve given you great leeway and let you do your thing. Now we do things my way. Explain yourself.

    Might Equals Right!

    Sir Zhi Chen

    MYRIAD

* * *

    From: K_F_5/23.53.6

    To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

    Subject: Was the risk truly worth it?

    ANY injury has the potential to be life-threatening. What if Miss Lockwood had been unable to obtain manna and hemorrhaged to death?

     What happened to your plan to trust me?

    Let me be clear about this, in case any other opportunities to harm her arise. Hurt her, and I hurt you. News flash: you cannot defeat Troika without her. Myriad has tried for centuries. If she dies, the entire realm will be forced to pay a high price. Myriad will lose the war. Citizens will lose their realm, homes and families. And why will this happen? Because of your orders.

    You once told me you love your realm. Do you really want to be the one who destroys it?

    As for my disconnection from the Grid. The reason should answer both of your concerns. If you haven’t noticed, Miss Aubuchon’s feed has been going dark at the exact same time. What can you deduce from that?

    Might Equals Right!

    ML, Killian Flynn

    MYRIAD

* * *

    From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

    To: K_F_5/23.53.6

    Subject: You’re right

    I shouldn’t have doubted your motives. Your passion is clear. For Myriad and for Miss Aubuchon. I support your romantic relationship. There’s no need to go dark again.

    I apologize for my actions. In my zeal to reach our goal, I placed our realm in danger. I won’t do so again, you have my word.

    However, what’s done is done. This is the perfect opportunity to reap the fruits provided by our labors. Whether you feel ready to take the next step or not. Because, if Miss Lockwood doesn’t begin to aid our cause, she will only continue to hurt it, and we will be forced to consider elimination.

    Might Equals Right!

    Sir Zhi Chen

    chapter fourteen

* * *

    “Trust in Fate. If one door closes, simply wait. Another will open.”

    —Myriad

    As I exit the Veil of Wings, the sense of calm and rightness I usually experience gives way to grief. Without Killian’s arms around me, holding the world at bay, I begin to spiral.

    “I’m sorry,” I say as Victor releases me. “I didn’t mean—”

    “No need to apologize. I understand. You love him. You wanted to protect him.”

    Does he understand? His voice is unruffled, but a muscle is jumping under his eye.

    I hand him the gun I stole from him. “Meredith is dead. I lost her.” The words are glass shards in my throat. I didn’t just lose her—I lost my way.

    “I know. Troika lost a great Leader today.”

    I don’t care about her station or her title. To me, she wasn’t a Leader. She was an amazing grandmother.

    “You’ll see her again, Ten.” Victor pats my shoulder. “You know you will. It’s only a matter of time.”

    He doesn’t mention the Resurrection, and I don’t have to wonder why. He still wants Archer to win.

    Do I?

    “She saved me. I’d rather she lived, and I died.” I wrap my arms around my middle. The hated position of defeat.

    “She knew, and she felt the same about you.”

    Love is the single most essential part of our lives, a need we all share, and yet it’s always been invisible to the naked eye. Until today. Today I saw love in its purest form.

    Meredith loved me enough to die for me.

    A sob climbs up my throat, a poem drifting through my mind.

    I can’t say goodbye. This isn’t goodbye.

    You’re gone, but you’re still here.

    You’re still here with me, deep in my heart.

    I’ll hold you close. I won’t let you go.

    When I train, you’ll be with me.

    When I shine, it’s your Light others will see.

    When I hurt, your memory will be my comfort.

    We’ll be together. You and me. Forever.

    But not today. Today you’re gone.

    No matter where I look, you’re not here.

    When I cry, you’re not here to hold me.

    When I sob, you’re not here to comfort me.

    When I quiet, you’re not here.

    Why aren’t you here?

    Today I’m alone.

    Usually my poems have a double meaning. A negative and positive side. I can think of nothing positive about this situation. Hot tears flow down my cheeks.

    “Meredith is in a better place. And so are you,” Victor says. “Everyone in Troika will trust you now. Your wants—and the Laborers you desire to have on your team—will matter.”

    I frown at him. “What are you talking about?”

    He grins. Grins! “You’ll be able to sway the Resurrection.”