Everlife Trilogy Complete Collection: Firstlife ; Lifeblood ; Everlife

by Gena Showalter

  Does he see me peeking out underneath her skin? I gulp.

  I think the blonde frowns at him—or smiles, I can’t tell which. He blinks, as if confused.

  No, he doesn’t see me…exactly. Good. That’s good.

  Javier removes his gloves. “I said again.” He punches Killian bare-knuckled.

  Killian bounces on the ropes. I swallow a snarl of rage and a grunt of concern.

  Calm, steady. He’s in a Shell. He’s fine.

  With a scowl, Killian jumps up. “The first, I let you have. This one? Not so much.” He slams a bare fist into Javier’s smiling face. The human whips to the side, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

  Javier wipes the drops away before laughing. “More.”

  Killian gives him more, punch, punch, punching—every strike focused and contained, delivered for maximum impact—until the human is sprawled across the mat, unable to stand but still smiling.

  “Now it’s break time,” Javier says between panting breaths, crimson smeared over his teeth.

  I grimace. Penumbra hasn’t had such a sinister effect on Dior and I wonder if personality dictates severity.

  The building shakes, and I stiffen. Either a battle has kicked off outside, or someone just erected a Buckler.

  A second later, four MLs rush into the room—two in Shells, two in spirit—each holding a weapon. Got my answer. A Buckler was erected, and it’s Troikan. I feel a sweet pulse of Light.

  Deacon sprints from the shadows and rams into the Shells. The trio slams to the floor, the MLs absorbing the brunt of impact.

  My blonde squeals and dives through the ropes to join the boys, abandoning me. Killian spots me, his narrowed gaze drilling holes in me.

  “Go to the locker room,” he commands Javier. “Do not talk to anyone but me. Do not leave with anyone but me.”

  The younger male clearly isn’t used to taking orders and remains prone; he’s panting but smiling again.

  Gaze never leaving me, Killian throws a hard punch. Javier’s entire body jolts as he’s rendered unconscious.

  The blonde alternates between patting his face and peering up at Killian with a combination of awe and fear.

  I race toward the MLs who are in spirit form and lift my arm, aiming Meredith’s ring.

  Boom, boom!

  The bigger male falls. Without missing a beat, the other guy tosses a dagger at me. I dodge, wishing I had time to aim—too late, we collide, hurtling halfway across the room. I use his neck as an anchor and swing myself around him.

  Upon impact, he’s dazed. Easy to pin. With my knees in his shoulders, I jab the ring into his throat and fire.

  Guilt. Sorrow. I experience both as Lifeblood pours from his motionless body.

  I know he’s past the point of hearing me, but I say, “It didn’t have to be this way.”

  He’s dead and gone, and he won’t Fuse with a newborn human; he won’t enter into the Rest, which is open only to Troikans. That leaves…

  Many Ends?

  Surely I haven’t sent this man…and all the others I’ve killed in battle…to Many Ends. Surely Killian won’t one day find himself in the nightmarish realm.

  I suck air between my clenched teeth, struggling to maintain my composure. Killian…trapped in Many Ends…

  My blood curdles.

  From the corner of my eye, I notice a Myriadian exiting his Shell as he approaches me.

  Dang it! I’ve got to keep my head in the game!

  As I jump up, he swings a Glacier. I bow back, narrowly avoiding injury, and reach for my swords. Straightening, I extend my arms, my body forming a T. He punches me in the stomach, as I expected, and I hunch over, wheezing for breath, at the same time drawing my wrists together to create a pair of makeshift scissors.

  Off with his head.

  My signature move is swift, painless and permanent.

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone else, but I will if I must.” I spin as I speak, addressing the entire room.

  I’m ignored. Six other MLs are here, and one of them is Sloan, the traitor; they’re working together to take out Deacon. He’s doing his best to neutralize the eager beavers without hurting Sloan, a girl he once crushed on.

  Humans scurry for cover, chaos quickly reigning. Killian remains in front of Javier, acting as his guard.

  “Look out,” Killian shouts at me.

  I pivot as two Shell-less MLs race toward me. I’m ready, but Deacon sheds his Shell and blazes over, knocking the two to the ground. His previous opponents charge his now defenseless Shell, not yet realizing he’s left it—except for Sloan. She whips out two .44s, one for each hand, and nails her own teammates in the back of the head.

  Deacon and I jolt with shock.

  “You got this?” I ask Deacon.

  “Without a doubt.”

  I rush to my Shell, sheathe the Blessing and Cursing—I won’t risk cursing Killian—and slip inside the casing. After swiping up two new swords, I climb into the ring. Time is running out.

  Killian looks me over and arches a dark brow. “You planning on stabbing me, lass?”

  “With Cupid’s arrow maybe, but nothing else.”

  His features soften. As he circles me, his gaze lingers on my cleavage. His hands curl into fists—to stop himself from reaching out to touch me? His pupils dilate. “Did you come here to seduce me, then?”

  Does he realize he’s rubbing his 143,10 tattoo?

  Beyond the ring, grunts and groans sound as Deacon and Sloan take out the remaining MLs.

  “Why are you doing this?” the TL says between ragged breaths.

  “Just shut up and kill the witnesses,” she snaps.

  I move with Killian, wishing he would close the distance and yank me into his arms. “When I decide to seduce you, Killian Flynn, you won’t have to ask. Actually, you won’t even have enough breath to ask.”

  “Well, then.” His eyes glitter with wicked intent. “I look forward to your attempt.”

  “You mean my success.”

  “Finished,” Sloan calls. She yanks a sword out of the last ML standing…well, falling, and stalks to a desk in back. She checks the security system. “The humans made it outside to safety.”

  Humans can pass through Bucklers, no problem.

  And sure enough, the rest of the MLs have been finished off. Sixteen in total. I expected more.

  In a blink, Killian’s entire countenance darkens. He goes from pleasure to business, every mask gone. No longer a charmer, he’s a boy who’s devastated beyond repair.

  “Let’s talk frankly, Ten. With your Buckler over the gym, my comm is disabled, and my boss can’t listen in.”

  “What about Sloan? She—”

  “Is on our side.”

  I shake my head in an effort to dismiss my confusion. “Please don’t tell me you trust my murderer.” I know she aided me today. I know I let her live during our previous battle. But we’re discussing matters of the heart right now.

  “Why not? She’s there for me when you aren’t,” he snarls.

  Every ounce of heat drains from me, leaving me rigid with cold. “Are you…are you two…”

  “And now you insult me!” He spits the words at me. “I would never betray you. And she won’t, either. She could have turned on me a thousand times, but she’s helped me in order to help you. Lets our boss believe we’re screwing so we can disable our comms and sneak around the realm, counteracting every plan Myriad has for you.”

  Too much. Too much information to process while I combat far too many conflicting emotions. Betrayed but beloved. In peril but protected. Out of control but steady.

  “You’re here for Javier,” he adds, “but I’m not going to let you have him. He’s too dangerous to you.”

 
No way I’ll let him play that particular card. “While you’re sneaking around, actively putting your life in danger, I’m supposed to ignore my job to avoid danger? Do you have any idea how devastated I’d be if something were to happen to you?”

  He disregards my questions, rasping, “Javier doesn’t want to speak with a Troikan. You need to go, and you need to trust me as you promised.”

  I admit it. This card is harder to discount. “I’m staying here. I’m speaking with him.”

  A flash of fury in eyes still capable of making my blood sing. “How do you think Troika found us, Ten? Because we’re bad at hiding? I assure you we’re not. Or because someone informed your realm?”

  “The latter, but—”

  “I’m supposed to put up a fight before I let you have him.”

  “Why? Why would Myriad willingly give him up?”

  “I don’t know the plan. I only know you risk your life every time you’re around him.”

  “Or you want to keep him, so you’re tricking me into leaving,” I snap, and Killian scowls at me. “Javier has a blood relation who asked us to speak with him, so I’m going to speak with him.”

  “The relative isn’t the final authority,” he snaps back.

  I breathe in…out…calming. This is Killian I’m talking to. My love. He’s not lying to me. He believes what he says.

  “You’re right,” I tell him. “The relative doesn’t get to pick for Javier. So Javier can tell me to go—if that’s what he wants. He can even tell me to stay away forever. But he will hear me out first. I’m certain he’ll want an update on Dior.”

  “He’s slept with two different girls in two consecutive days.” His tone is dry. “I think it’s safe to say Javier is over Dior.”

  I purse my lips. How easily Killian speaks of a relationship’s death.

  Forget Javier. For the moment, anyway. I made a promise to Kayla. “Do you know where Victor Prince is being kept?”

  Killian smiles a cold smile. “Yes…because I abducted him.”

  What? “Is he alive?” My grip tightens on the swords.

  “Yes.” A single nod of his head. “For now.”

  There aren’t many reasons Killian would have kept a Troikan Messenger alive. In fact, there’s only one. His weakness—for me. “You think you’re helping me.” What I don’t understand is how Victor’s imprisonment helps me. “I’d rather you stay safe and Victor goes home.”

  Now he gives a clipped headshake. “You don’t get a say in this.”

  I try a different route. “His friends miss him. I miss him.”

  Mistake! He tenses. “You gonna stop loving me if I keep him?”

  “No,” I say, but he’s far from pacified.

  A muscle jumps beneath his eye. “Maybe there’s something about him I don’t like. Something I’ve never liked, even when he lived in Myriad.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t like the fact that Victor can touch you and he can’t,” Sloan calls.

  “Shut up, inferior,” he grates.

  “Killian—” I begin.

  “No.” Rage vibrates from him. “We’re on opposite sides of a war, lass. A choice you made. Do you expect me to lay down my weapons and accept defeat?”

  “No, I—”

  “Good. Because I haven’t. I won’t. I’m too busy fighting for ye.” His accent thickens. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to give ye a better eternity, not just a better present. I’m protecting ye the only way I can. And I’m doing it without lying. Do know how difficult that is? But I do it because I know ye despise liars. Because I want to be a man worthy of ye, even if I can’t have ye.”

  “I’m nothing special. I’m not yet worthy of you. But I’m here. I’m yours.”

  Abject longing stares at me through those blue-gold eyes…until his expression hardens. “I’m not going to get out of this alive, lass, and I know it.”

  “You’re not going to die.” Panic grabs me by the neck and squeezes. “Do you understand?”

  He offers me a small, sad smile. “I’m living on borrowed time. When this is over, my crimes will be exposed and punishment will come. I’ll be kept alive only as an insurance policy against you, my life used to control yours—to stop you from leading your armies into battle.”

  “I don’t have armies!”

  He plows on. “Do you really think I’ll let that happen? No, lass. No. I’d rather die than hurt you, and I will. I’ll make sure I go out in a blaze of glory.” He laughs now, but the sound lacks any hint of amusement. “What I did to Dior is being done to me, only a hundredfold worse. Your realm says we reap what we sow. Karma. Justice has come for her due, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Killian.” I take a step toward him.

  He jumps back, avoiding contact. “I have always believed what’s meant to be will be, and everything will work out the way it’s supposed to work out. This,” he says, spreading his arms, “is my fate.”

  “No.” I stomp my foot. “Everything works out when we fight for what’s right. Choice matters. You say you don’t want to lay down your weapons and accept defeat, but that’s what you’re doing. What you’re choosing to do. You have options. You can defect to Troika.”

  “Impossible. Your realm would never accept me.”

  “Maybe not at first. But fight with them instead of against them, and they’ll grow to love you.”

  “To fight with them, I’d have to go to court. Who would be my Barrister, lass?” Another bitter laugh. “You?”

  “Yes!” I shout. “Yes! It would be my honor and privilege. I love you.”

  “No. I would never allow you to—”

  The entire building shakes, the foundation rattling at our feet. Dust plumes the air as I stagger backward, actually falling out of my Shell. Killian races over, abandoning his Shell to catch me before I hit the ground. The shaking continues, and we both fall. I release the swords and cling to him.

  He twists in midair, absorbing the impact. “Sorry, I’m sorry,” he mutters when he catches his breath, and I’m not sure why he’s apologizing.

  “No, I’m sorry.” The Buckler has been disabled, and it’s time for us to part. I’m not ready. I’m not even close to ready. I don’t want to leave him like this. And zero! I haven’t spoken to Javier. I can’t leave without completing my mission.

  Killian must not want to part with me, either. He rolls me over, pinning me in place. Where we touch, I grow chilled. He hisses, and I know he’s being burned. Even still, awareness sizzles inside me. He’s so beautiful. I ghost my fingers over his cheekbone. I love the line of his jaw, adore the sweep of his brows, marvel at the long length of his lashes, and take comfort in the stubborn jut of his chin.

  “Everything I do, I do for ye,” he repeats, his accent back. It returns every time his emotions overtake him. “I would do anything—except put ye in danger.”

  My chest aches. My brands tingle. Every step toward a dream is a step away from a regret. “Do you want out of Myriad?” Let me rephrase. “Do you want to join me in Troika?”

  “Ye would be—”

  “Don’t think about consequences, only desire. Do you want to join me?”

  Those blue-gold eyes lower and snag on my lips. He says one word, only one, but it seals his fate. “Yes.”

  I want to shout with joy. One word, but I’m forever changed.

  “But,” he says, and I shake my head.

  “No buts.” I press my lips into his, despite the pain. The kiss, like the one in my dreams, is over far too quickly. “If I must, I’ll force your hand. And you should want me to do so, eh? After all, as long as you’re in Myriad, my life is in danger.”

  His eyes narrow to tiny slits. “Are ye manipulating me, lass?”

  “I did learn from the master.”

  The tend
er moment ends with a bang, the front door swinging open, countless MLs rushing inside. They aren’t alone. Countless TLs rush in behind them.

  The two armies clash together. Grunts, groans and clangs sound. Spears and arrows fly.

  Killian and I roll apart, and he moves to block me from my Shell.

  “Get out of here,” he commands.

  I end up next to the unconscious Javier…and an idea strikes. “You’re right. It’s time for me to go. Just know that everything I do, I do for you.”

  As I talk, I type into my data pad, sending Kayla an urgent message. Help! Can you transport my Shell next to me? Also, I need a location switch with a human in tow. Like, now!

  Javier is infected with Penumbra, yes, and the Light will hurt him, but he’s sleeping so—fingers crossed—he’ll never know.

  My Shell appears at my side in a blaze of Light. Kayla did it! With a quick spin, I slip inside and anchor. Then I reach out, clasping Javier’s hand.

  “Ten!” Killian shouts, realizing what I’m planning. “Don’t! They’ll never let ye—”

  His voice cuts off as a blaze of Light slams into me. The gym disappears, and a new location takes shape around me.

  MYRIAD

  * * *

  From: Z_C_4/23.43.2

  To: K_F_5/23.53.6

  Subject: You have some explaining to do

  Reports have come in, and my soldiers tell me you tried to stop Miss Lockwood from taking Mr. Diez from the gym. Why is that, Mr. Flynn? For our plan to work, the two need to be together.

  Might Equals Right!

  Sir Zhi Chen

  MYRIAD

  * * *

  From: K_F_5/23.53.6

  To: Z_C_4/23.43.2

  Subject: I’m really tired of having to explain myself

  Dude. Chill. Miss Lockwood is a smart girl. She suspects we’re planning to use the infected humans against her. What’s wrong with making it look like I objected?

  Anyway.

  I know you told me to take the weekend off and enjoy a little sexy time with Sloan. For a job well done today I’d rather be rewarded with another assignment. What would you like me to do?