“I don’t care.”

  But I did. “This is a big ask. You gotta give me more than an entreaty. Tell me why.”

  “I just need you to trust me.” Cyrus dipped his head to press his brow against mine. “At least promise me you’ll think about it.”

  Though the very idea pricked like a thorn, I nodded. Nothing wrong with musing something over. “I will, I promise.” I’d probably think of little else.

  His gaze jumped behind me, to the bus, and narrowed. “You better go. Be safe, Pink.”

  “You, too, sugar bear. By the way, I miss you already,” I added because I couldn’t not.

  “Good. Because I love you, and I’ll never let you go.” He pressed one of those too-swift kisses into my lips before striding away.

  My mouth floundered open and closed. What? He hadn’t just . . . he couldn’t have . . . What?!

  I trudged to the bus and boarded, still floundering. Forget what he’d requested regarding Domino. I’d figure that out later. Cyrus Dolion did not just confess to being in love with me. I’d misheard. Or . . . or . . .

  He might actually love me?

  My guards entered the vehicle behind me. I didn’t let myself consider Cyrus’s declaration a second more—I’d only melt. That must come after this field trip.

  Winslet pointed to the bucket seat in front of her. “I saved you a spot.”

  A whirlwind of emotions churned as I gathered the scattered pieces of armor and an assortment of weapons piled on the seat. Steeling myself, I slid into place. One guard stood watch up front, rigid and alert, while the other silently took position in the back, ready for whatever lay ahead.

  Duchess Mimidae stood at the front as well. “You’ve learned to work together in pairs. Now, you’ll practice in a small group of five. Suit up.”

  I obeyed, donning the armor. Pieces I’d worn before, each made of a lightweight substance with malleable seams. The arsenal consisted of a netter gun, a retractable spear, two regular daggers, one CO2 special, a gun known as the harbinger, and a pair of metal cuffs interlaced with stun pins. Hmm. I’d never worked with cuffs.

  “Your individual goal is simple,” the duchess stated. “Without issuing a field test, identify and detain someone you suspect of being at the breaking point of Madness. Your group goal is to protect innocent civilians while securing each candidate.”

  “How will we know who’s infected if we can’t run tests?” Cash asked. “Feeders without worms can pass as clean.”

  Features pinched with disapproval, the duchess snapped, “At this point, if you need worms to identify those who exhibit symptoms of the Madness, you shouldn’t be a member of the gentry. Quit the program and go home.”

  Silence swept over the bus. Any hint of excitement withered, replaced by unease that magnified as the vehicle ate up the miles. By the time we reached our destination in the heart of the city, many soldiers-in-training looked ready to shatter. Even Roman. I think we all understood the ramifications if we got this wrong. Innocent people would suffer.

  “Stick together with your team, aid each other,” the duchess said. “Feel free to traverse the entire city. You may detain and interrogate anyone of your choosing. Your chips will open most doors, and there’s a badge on your vest the citizens of Bala City will recognize and respect. Return with someone in your custody or a very good reason why you’re empty handed.”

  I glanced down at said vest and sure enough, an emblem decorated a spot above the left breast. A jagged circle with broken lines inside it, like Soal’s yet quite different.

  “Do us proud.” Duchess Mimidae stepped aside and waved to the door. “The group that returns first wins the greatest prize of all: bragging rights. Pick your own teams. The countdown starts now. Go, go, go.”

  We spilled from the bus at warp speed. Roman, Winslet, Merlot, and Miller invited me onto their team.

  “Let’s go somewhere private so we can strategize.” Roman didn’t wait for our acquiescence but led the charge.

  We marched down a busy sidewalk, my heart thudding all the while. The Rock called to me, urging me closer. Closer still, drawing me like a magnet. Longing choked me. What I wouldn’t give for five more minutes inside the library. Or even just a peek at one of the symbols on the surface. Just for a second.

  The urge magnified when I spotted the statue of Astan. The horns seemed to have risen another two inches.

  I rubbed the sudden burn in the center of my chest. What did that even mean? Domino had said we’d discuss it “later,” but we’d gotten busy with other things. And now, I might have to cut him from my life for reasons I didn’t fully understand.

  Focus. Surely the most difficult task of my life. But I did it, visually x-raying everyone around me, ready to spring into action at the first sign of an impending break. Agitation. Wild eyes. Cold grins.

  An unsettling wind kicked up in my head, swirling with debris. Something about this task wasn’t right.

  Thoughts took shape. My first day at the base, Cyrus had voiced a profound yet often forgotten piece of wisdom. Everything was a test. So, what was the point of this one?

  What had the duchess said? Without issuing a field test, identify and detain someone you suspect of being at the breaking point of Madness.

  CURED could make anyone break, or seem positive, which meant absolutely everyone we encountered was a candidate. We could bring in anyone and pass.

  Too easy!

  Could we pinpoint outward signs of a coming break to support our choice? Yes. But many of those signs also pointed to anxiety. I should know. And who wouldn’t feel anxious with a bunch of armed lords- and ladies-in-training marching about, determined to arrest someone. The victim would lose a full day’s pay. And what if they had a dire medical appointment they were forced to reschedule, which could take months or a year? What if they missed a child’s birthday party?

  After pressing the heel of his palm into an ID pad, Roman entered the lobby of an apartment complex. We followed. The concierge vaulted to his feet, noticed our vests, and paled. He eased back into his seat, trying to make himself invisible.

  “Okay,” Roman said as we huddled together. “Here’s how this is going down.”

  The inner wind quickened. “I don’t think we should arrest anyone,” I blurted out before he could begin. Wait. I didn’t?

  Noises of refusal exploded from my peers.

  “Just listen.” I clapped my hands, earning silence, and the wind stilled. My thoughts settled. “Usually CURED issues explicit instructions, no exceptions, no excuses. They don’t give us an out. Yet the duchess did. Come back with a victim or a reason. So let’s give her a reason. Without a proper test, we can’t identify an infected person.” Yes. That was it. That was the purpose of this activity.

  More protests sounded from my teammates. Miller said, “Unless you got a hot tip from the high prince, I’m bagging me a feeder.”

  “No hot tips. Just an inner knowing.”

  Roman pursed his lips. “You’re outvoted, Ardie. If you want to risk it, that’s fine. But we’re going to stick close to the Rock. Anyone who even glances at it, we’ll question. We should have our suspects within the hour.”

  Chapter Nine

  A war is waged in the corridors of your mind, and only you can crown the victor.

  —The Book of Soal 2.11.4.8

  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.”

  I knew the process—I had lived the process. It had taken Ember multiple encounters to reach me. But Domino was right. I had continued to consider her words, never able to escape them.

  “Thank you,” I breathed.

  He hesitated before reaching over to give my hand an awkward pat. His fingers misted through mine, but the gesture wasn’t lost on me. “There’s still no need to thank me for doing my job,” he said, then paused. “But you are most welcome, Arden.”

  Only six words, yet a strange little blip went off in my heart, as if our friendship had just deepened.

  Cyrus wasn’t going to like this, but I didn’t send Domino away.

  The remainder of the week passed without incident or a new message from Cyrus. Not even a visit. My teammates acted as if I no longer existed. A development that stung, I admit. But Domino came to see me often.

  Every time we were together, I reconsidered Cyrus’s request. But even the thought of disassociating with Domino caused a terrible anxiety to seize me, and I never spoke the words. The high prince had to be wrong about this. Soldiers in a war shouldn’t treat their allies like enemies.