I scoff at him. “You’re not going to try to change my mind?”
“I never debate the truth. You know your answer, so grow a pair of balls and accept it. Stop wasting our time. Now, are you going to let me finish telling you my story?” he asks.
I wave my hand in regal command.
“After the institution, Archer told me there’s something about you...an inner strength very few people possess. A goodness untouched by the evil around you. A generosity of spirit that allows you to put the safety of others above the safety of yourself. And I hope he’s right, because word came down today. For Archer’s part in your friend’s untimely death, he will experience the Exchange.”
* * *
I use my time at the safe house to recover from my wounds and plan my next move.
Myriad wants me dead and without Troika’s assistance, I can’t hide from them. I’m only human. But then, I don’t want to hide from the realm, and I don’t want to rely on one over the other. I want to see Killian, thank him, maybe hug him and slap him for risking his life.
There’s been no sign of him, no rumors about his life—or his death.
I absolutely refuse to consider he died and he’s now Fused with a newborn, that he has a new Firstlife tied to someone else. He’s out there. What’s he doing?
I miss the jerk.
By the dawn of the seventh day, I realize I have only one viable option. It’s simple, but it just might work. I will request the one thing I’ve wanted since this whole travesty began: time to think without interference. I’ll promise to voice my decision the day before my eighteen birthday. Of course, the closer we get to the date, the more danger I’ll face, the realms fearing my defection. But the fact remains: any time I gain is more than I currently have.
It’ll mean saying goodbye to Killian and Archer—shredding my heart when I lose the best friends I’ve had in forever—but it’ll only be for a little while. At least for one of them.
With a sigh, I press the tip of a steak knife into my finger, a drop of blood welling. A drop I wipe on the wall beside my bed, leaving a smear of crimson behind.
My new calendar. Sunlight streams through my bedroom window, highlighting the numbers.
“Do you not know how to relax?”
Archer’s voice fills my room, and I slowly pivot to face him. He’s standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
“No. Just like you don’t know how to share important details with your friends.” I’m miffed with him. He refuses to tell me anything about the Exchange.
“Fine. It will be bad. Blood for blood. A crime was committed, and a punishment must be meted out. That is law, even for Myriad, though they would deny it. Every human is precious, priceless, and I’ll pay a price that reflects that. Happy now?”
Not even close. Maybe the crash knocked some sense into me, because I no longer want him penalized. He’s suffered enough. “What about mercy?”
“Trust me. In this, I’m being shown great mercy. I should be dead, like the one I helped kill, and yet I live.”
“But—”
“This is justice, Ten. You can’t pick and choose the parts you like and ignore the rest. That opens the door for partiality.”
He makes a good point. Not that I’ll admit it. “Why are you here?”
“Two reasons. The first, to ask if you want to reactivate your cell phone. I’ll have to put you to sleep but it won’t take more than a few minutes.”
“No, thanks.” I still don’t want my parents or Prynne able to call or track me.
“Now the second. I’m going to teach you how to fight.”
What is it with these Shell boys and their lack of respect for my skills? “I know how to fight.” I hold up the butcher knife. “Want a demonstration?”
He nods. “I do. But allow me to amend my statement. I’m going to teach you how to fight...and win.”
“I know how—”
“Win every time,” he adds.
Fair enough. I could use the practice before I leave him. I sheathe the blade at my waist. “What’s this lesson going to cost me?” Let’s get the nitty-gritty out of the way.
“Only a poem. Something cheery for once.”
I arch a brow. “Does it have to rhyme?”
“Of course. Good poems always rhyme.”
He and Loony Lina would adore each other. “All right. Here goes.” I clear my throat.