"Okay, spill the beans. What in the world is going on with you two? He used to be your fave, and suddenly you act like he's the world's worst brother."
Elyssa's mouth tightened. Her eyes looked away. "He's working for Underborn."
Surprise sprung my jaw open. "Say what?"
She told me all about a visit from Underborn and a hulking figure in black. How she'd fought him and figured out who he was. She also told me about the Key of Juranthemon and how she'd nearly stolen it from Underborn. I imagined a hefty steel key with a head shaped like a skull, twin rubies for eyes. It had to look pretty badass with a name like that.
Her story also kicked loose a suspicion I'd had about Michael but never been able to pin down. Now, I felt pretty certain what that tingling sensation had been. "I think your brother's been working for Underborn for quite a while."
She raised an eyebrow. "How would you know?"
"If I'm right, he saved me from moggy mutilation and a swarm of gray men."
"What are you talking about?"
It seemed so long ago, but, in reality, it hadn't been more than a couple of months. "When I didn't know what I was, I went looking for Stacey. One of her moggies jumped me and almost bit off my face. Someone whooshed past and sliced off its head." My chest pounded faster at the horrifying memory. "And when you and I were looking for Underborn in the Grotto and the gray men attacked, a big dude in black jumped down and sliced them to bits."
"I was unconscious, but I remember you telling me about it later." Elyssa gave a slow shake of her head. "I don't understand. Why would he work for that snake? Why would he betray me like that?"
"I think he did it for you."
Her forehead wrinkled. "You've gotta be kidding."
I shrugged. "Think about it. He's known for a while you and I were tied together. I'm sure Underborn let him read Foreseeance Forty-Three Eleven. Knowing the way that slime ball operates, he knew your brother wouldn't say no to an opportunity to protect you, especially with inside knowledge."
"But he could've done that without joining Underborn." She huffed out a breath. "He could've told me."
"First of all, I'm sure Underborn didn't tell him everything. He probably told Michael just enough and guaranteed him more if he gave his word." I chuckled. "I can guarantee you Michael didn't join Underborn to help me."
The hint of a smile brightened her face. "Thank you," she said, her voice wavering.
"For what?"
She gripped my hand and kissed me. "For making me feel better."
"Justin, I hope this is not an inopportune time to ask you a question," said a calm voice from a short distance away.
Elyssa and I jumped.
Cinder still sat on a bench twenty feet away, his form so still I hadn't noticed him.
"If this is one of those girlfriend things you mentioned, I can wait." His shoulders went up in a stiff shrug.
"Um, actually I do have an answer for you," I said, hoping the answer didn't break his little golem heart. "Nightliss doesn't know if you can become real or not."
He stood and nodded. After a brief pause, his lips turned down into a very glum frown, almost as frightening as his horrific smiles.
"Oh, god, make him stop," Elyssa said, looking away.
"Until I get you some soap operas to watch, maybe it's best if you lay off the body language," I said, feeling sorry for him.
His features snapped back to default. "Perhaps that is best, Justin. I don't wish to frighten anyone."
"We need to get a move-on," Elyssa said. "I'll find out what plans my father has. Maybe we can coordinate with him."
"I'll get the gang together."
"Uh, who would that be?"
"Bella, Meghan, Adam." I pursed my lips in thought. "I guess Fausta—"
"No," Elyssa said, voice firm. "First of all, she's bound to her unit here. Second of all, I can't stand that bossy bi—"
"And Fausta's off the list," I said, grinning. "How about Katie?"
"Now I know you're just testing me." She stuck out her tongue.
I laughed. "You've gotta admit, she's proven herself capable."
Elyssa nodded. "She might have actually graduated from being an irritating little bi—"
"Geez, babe, you're determined to use that word, aren't you?"
"If the shoe fits, wear it."
I shrugged. "Even though she helped rescue me, she's just human." It felt very strange to say those words, I realized.
"Yeah." My girlfriend tugged me toward the buildings in the center of the