Chapter Nine
A war is waged in the corridors of your mind, and only you can crown the victor.
Minutes seemed to last days as I stood with Roman and the others near a section of the Rock. The yearning inside me swelled, reaching new heights, nearly overpowering me with a desire to enter the library. It was so close, mere feet away. Almost within reach. Right there.
“Got one,” Roman muttered, and stopped a big, burly man with a limp.
Poor guy.
As the two barked words at each other, my teammates geared up to step in and aid Roman.
I shoved a hand in my pocket and gripped my Rock.
The essence of Tsuri. Rather than appeasing my yearning, however, the action galvanized it.
I caught myself peering at a symbol and taking a step closer.
Thankfully, no one noticed me—or the robe-clad, transparent Domino who stepped from the structure.
Another robe-clad, transparent man accompanied him.
Someone I’d never met, probably the same age, with rough features.
Air stalled in my lungs, every particle a needle’s kiss as both men fastened their gazes on me, cold and merciless. They closed the distance, side by side, warriors on a mission. What . . . why . . .
Domino wasted no time. “Tell your teammates you’re going to the bathroom. Sprint north, turn right. Enter the Lumen Bay Apartments. Speak to no one. In the lobby bathroom, tell the girl to trust she who comes after you.”
What the—
“I’ll handle your guards,” the other man said, his voice a growl.
He and Domino vanished.
I didn’t give myself a chance to debate all the reasons I should refuse. “I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be back.” I darted off in the correct direction as if my feet were on fire, not giving anyone an opportunity to protest or ask questions.
I dashed through clusters of people and dodged every obstacle. Running was my thing. I pumped my arms in sync with my stride. “Apologies,” I called after knocking a guy with my shoulder.
Distinct footsteps echoed behind me, a war drum in my ears. My guards, no doubt. I didn’t risk a glance over my shoulder and possibly a crash caused by distraction. Instead, I let Domino’s friend “handle” them.
Turning the corner on Lumen Avenue, I spotted the correct apartment building. Wondering what I’d find, I flew inside. Nice place. Modern furnishings, mirrored walls, fancy fixtures.
A woman behind the reception counter shouted, “Hey!” Like the man who’d backed off earlier, she spotted my badge, clamped her mouth shut, and sat.
Bathroom, bathroom, where was the bathroom? I raced here, there. Yes! I shouldered past the door, entering a utilitarian space with two full-length mirrors, two sinks, and two stalls, one on each side. Someone stood at a sink, washing her face. We froze in unison.
Realization slapped me. “Mykal,” I burst out, throwing my arms around her. I owed Domino so big. He’d known how desperately I wished to help her, and he’d made it happen. He was a good man.
“Be quiet.” Frantic and panicked, she unsheathed a makeshift dagger. “How did CURED find me? I removed my ID chip.”
Oh, wow, she looked worse than before. Too thin, fragile, her eyes sunken and her cheekbones sharper than broken glass. Her hair stuck out in dirt-streaked spikes. Torn, stained clothing hung on her slender frame.
Staving off tears, I held up my hands, palms out, to let her know I intended her no harm.
Mykal was my friend. Maybe my best friend.
Considering she had turned against CURED, as evidenced by her words, she might be ready to hear the truth.
Which meant, I now had a choice. Give her the truth, straight up, or don’t.
If I did it, and she got caught after we parted, she might tattle on me, putting me more firmly in Mr. Vyle’s crosshairs.
Honestly, though, Domino had sent me here with a specific mission. He’d all but ordered me to take the risk.
Very well. At least I wouldn’t be recorded, my necklace scrambling our conversation. “We don’t have a lot of time,” I rushed out, fierce but quiet. “I’m a Soalian. Part of the Tome Society. A glower. CURED has lied to us our entire lives. You are infected—”
Making a noise of distress, she jabbed the knife in my direction. The action lacked skill and grace. “I’m not infected!”
I twisted out of the way, avoiding injury, and resumed my all-innocence stance.
“I’m not infected!” she repeated, looking ready to sob.
“I won’t turn you in to CURED,” I assured her. “Everyone is infected. I was too. But Soal is real, and he’s got a cure. Someone I trust is going to explain further.”
Hinges squeaked as a humming woman strode into the enclosure. Both Mykal and I froze again. The moment the newcomer’s identity pinged, I relaxed.
“Mykal, you remember Shiloh’s sister, Ember.” They used to live in the same building.
“Hello, Mykal.” Ember removed big, dark sunglasses. Dressed in a stark-white dress, with a scooped bodice and a hem that stopped just below her knees, she dazzled. She’d anchored her mass of hair in a sleek bun. A large hat cast shadows over her bold features.
I wanted to stay and help so badly. Mykal kept the dagger raised, her eyes as wild as a maddened amid a full breakage. But I had to go back.
“Please listen to her, Mykal. She’ll hide you from CURED. Keep you safe. Reveal the truth and expose lies.” Without another word, I raced out and retraced my steps.
By the time I reached my teammates, Miller was cuffing a pale, trembling citizen. The other three stood nearby, holding their own captives and cheering him on. My guards waited among them, tense.
Roman noticed me and scowled. “Pick someone,” he commanded. “I won’t lose this challenge because you couldn’t pee somewhere close.”
“No need.” I notched my chin. “I told you. I have a reason, so I don’t need a captive.”
He worked his jaw, clearly wishing to argue. In the end, he moved on. “Fine. I won’t force you. But if I’m punished because you refused to do your job, we’re gonna have a problem.”
“I’m good with those terms,” I said, and I meant it.
We made our way toward the bus. While we weren’t the first group to return, we were the second. Now, there were two vehicles parked at the curb, and armed guards flanked the doors of both. Three soldiers-in-training waited in a single-file line at the first, each holding a cuffed civilian.
One soldier came stomping out of the vehicle alone, discharging fury as if it was a round of bullets. He didn’t speak but made a beeline for the other bus. The next soldier entered with his captive. We took our places behind the last.
The line dwindled as trainees entered one after the other. Different groups arrived with cuffed citizens.
My turn. I lifted my chin and climbed the steps, my guards following. Duchess Mimidae reclined in a seat up front, with Dr. Korey beside her.
The duchess motioned to the spot across from her. “No offering for us?”
I eased down and shook my head. Carefully selecting my words to speak truthfully without elaborating, I said, “I bring you a reason. Without the proper tools, we cannot accurately judge who is and isn’t infected.”
The doctor narrowed her eyes. “Well, well, well. Cyrus must have tipped you off.”
“He didn’t.” So I’d gotten it right. I should celebrate, but I knew my teammates weren’t going to be happy for me. Considering Miller’s earlier taunt, they would believe as Dr. Korey did: that I’d had royal help.
“But that isn’t something we can prove, now, is it?” Duchess Mimidae dropped her gaze to my neck, as if she could see the flesh-colored necklace. “You may go, Lady Roosa.”
I joined the others on the original bus, and just as I’d suspected, no one applauded my win. In fact, no one glanced my way. Everyone ignored me.
Fine. That was fine. I chose a seat in the back and used the time to consider Mykal. Had she accepted Ember’s aid?
And what of Cyrus, who admitted he loved me? Loved. L.O.V.E. A smile of delight spread. Except, he probably expected me to return the sentiment. And I should. I wanted to, but . . . I didn’t think I was ready. Which had nothing to do with Miller’s claim that Cyrus dumped women as soon as they fell.
Bye-bye, smile. Falling in love wasn’t something I’d contemplated.
I’d feared the Madness too much to risk hooking my wagon to someone else’s.
While I didn’t fear the Madness anymore, love meant forever.
Becoming a family. Which was welcome, yes.
Forever actually sounded good. Great! But love also meant risk in ways I’d not considered.
What if I let myself fall, and he later tired of me the way my dad had tired of my mom?
What if Cyrus died? I mean, we were traitors to CURED and in constant danger.
Death wasn’t just possible, it was probable.
What if I couldn’t edit my book?
Worry trapped me in a bubble, leaving the world a distant blur. That bubble popped when the bus pulled from the curb and eased down the road, with Duchess Mimidae announcing, “Congratulations to Lady Arden Roosa, our sole winner.” I hadn’t even heard her board.
Weak cheers greeted the pronouncement. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I slunk down.
As my fingers curled around the Rock, Domino materialized, seated beside me.
He didn’t say anything, didn’t even glance in my direction, but calm washed over me.
Until Cyrus’s request boomed, a harbinger I could no longer ignore.
He wanted me to cut the librarian from my life. Sever my connection to a good man who’d just done a very good thing. An ally who’d never lied to me. A mentor who shared the same goals as us.
“Mykal listened to Ember for several minutes before she ran from the bathroom,” Domino said. “She’s panicked, but she’ll continue to consider everything she heard. We’ll keep tabs on her, and at the right time, Ember will approach her again.”