When Stars Come Out (When Stars Come Out 1)

I’ve been told to hand everything on the Eurydice over to Elite Cain, but I can’t bring myself to do it. It could be because it’s Anora and the thought of telling anyone about her feels like betrayal. Or it could just be that I don’t like Roth and I don’t trust him. I think he wants the Eurydice for his own purposes, I’m just not sure what those purposes are.

One thing is certain—Anora doesn’t like or trust what she thinks I am, which means if I were to hand her over to the Order, she won’t trust them either, and if she’s going to rid the world of Influence’s hold, we need her on our side. We need her to believe we really will protect her.

Charon knows I have to—there’s no telling what sort of damage her distress will do to my body. Her anxiety already has my chest in knots. More unanswered questions—why do I have a connection to this human? Is it one-sided? I’ve seen no evidence she feels the same. Things would probably be a little easier if she did.

When I arrive to pick Roth up, he’s standing outside Temple. He throws his bag into the back of my Jeep and says, “Airport.”

“You’re leaving?” I try not to imbue my voice with too much excitement.

“Dad’s taken a turn.” He delivers the news colorlessly—as if he were telling the weather.

My heart pounds, like it’s requesting to exit my body. I don’t have anything to say. I already thought through all of the repercussions of Maximus’s death. I glance at Roth. His jaw is set and he stares straight ahead. I manage a whispered, “I’m sorry.”

And I am—for all of us.

“How long will you be gone?” I ask.

“Depends on when he dies,” he says. I flinch and he continues, “While I’m gone, I expect updates on your progress finding the Eurydice. I know Elite Cain told you to report to him, but I’m telling you different.”

“I can’t ignore Elite Cain’s orders.”

Roth laughs, mockingly. “Even if he plans on stripping you of your title the moment I’m gone?”

“What?”

“Elite Cain and your father don’t like that I’ve appointed you to search for the Eurydice. The moment they have cause, you’ll be a Knight-in-Training again, your threads ripped free.”

I don’t doubt that. I suspected as much when the only orders I was given were to report to Elite Cain. I hadn’t been given access to the Archive for files on the Eurydice or the Chase Lockwood investigation. I am, essentially, at a disadvantage compared to the other Knights appointed to do the same job.

“Why did you choose me?” I ask. “To search for the Eurydice?”

“Because you have something to prove,” he says. “Look, Savior. I know your aspirations. You do this for me and I’ll give you everything. That position as Commander? Yours, tomorrow if you like.”

“You just said Elite Cain and my father would strip me of the title you gave me.”

“Tomorrow my father might be dead,” he says.

I shake my head. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

“Oh, come on, Shy. You’ll be like your father. Better even. The Luminary’s guard.”

Roth knows me better than I care to admit.

“Did you offer Chase Lockwood the same thing?” I ask, coming to a stop in the passenger drop-off lane at the airport.

“Excuse me?”

“Chase Lockwood—you offered him the same thing, didn’t you? In exchange, he was to report only to you about the Eurydice.”

“Oh, Savior,” he says, offering a humorless chuckle. “You want me to be the bad guy, don’t you?”

“If the shoe fits, Roth.”

He laughs again, opening his door and grabbing his bag. “You’re smart, Savior. But if you’re as brilliant as the Elites claim, you’ll consider my offer. I don’t expect an answer now, but I won’t ask again.” As he retreats, he calls back. “Reports, Savior. You don’t want to be on my bad side.”

I don’t want to be on his good side, either.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN – ANORA & LILY MARTIN