Page 82 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
“Tempting you is the whole point of this, Arden.” He reached out, slow but steady, giving me plenty of time to protest. My breath hitched as he smoothed a lock of hair behind my ear. “After tomorrow’s patrol, I’d like you to speak with John Victors. He asked to see you.”
That ... no. It made no sense. “Why me?”
“A question you can pose to him. And no, I’m not offering you this assignment to wring intelligence from him. I think you should meet him. To judge him worthy or unworthy of your allegiance.”
Me, interrogate John Victors. A glower. Leader of the most violent gang of Soalians, who requested my presence and hoped to recruit me. “Okay, I’ll speak to him with or without our bargain.”
“Speaking of,” Cyrus said, “you won’t mention what we’re doing to anyone, and you’ll only talk of it with me when we’re alone in my private quarters.”
“As if I would ever tattle.” Which meant what? I’d accepted his offer, and we were officially roomies this weekend?
Dazed, I looked here, there, imagining myself puttering around. Enjoying a bedroom rather than a cell. Hanging potted plants, even growing a whole garden and experimenting with the different soils and seeds. Leaving a pair of socks on the floor. Getting to know the enigmatic, hauntingly beautiful Cyrus better. Fulfilling my obligation to Shiloh. Perhaps winning top soldier for completing a special mission.
My heart lurched. “I listened to your terms, now hear mine. Move my mother to Bala City.”
He huffed with frustration. “That isn’t something you want me to do. She won’t be safe there.”
He’d claimed something similar before. “Tell me why.”
“There are fewer breaks of Madness, but there’s far more crime.”
“I witnessed no crime while there,” I pointed out.
“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t taking place.”
Now I was the one to huff. But I would let this issue rest. For now. “I want Shiloh’s files, nothing redacted. Medical, disciplinary reports, research papers. Everything.” Maybe he received shots like the other soldiers who’d broken. Maybe the documents would be altered in some way, maybe not. There was only one way to find out.
“Done. Next.”
Under the table, I twisted my fingers into the napkin. “You can’t go easy on me during class.” My determination to improve had only amplified.
The look he gave me saidbaby, please.“Pink, slacking off will never be on the table. I’ll train you harder than I’ve ever trained anyone. Next.”
Was I truly bargaining with Cyrus Dolion in order to spy onCured? “Once a week, you gotta give sandwiches to the entire team, including Mykal.” My way of apologizing for unbalancing the scales.
“Done. Next.”
“I want to know who lives in the castle and hear about your experiences with Soal.”
The satisfaction glinted anew. “When I trust you, I’ll share.”
“Fair enough,” I grumbled.
“Anything else?”
Though I racked my brain, I came up empty. “Not currently.”
“Then the deal is set.” He extended his hand in my direction.
Yes. No. Yes. I nibbled on my bottom lip.
His hand remained steady. “If you can trust nothing else, trust that I have your best interests at heart.”
That wasn’t possible. But for better or worse, I reached out and slid my palm against his to shake. For Shiloh, my mom, Mykal, and everyone who deserved the truth. “The deal is set.”
While Cyrus made calls from an immaculate office, I searched the rest of the apartment. Shiloh’s claim thatCuredlied about Theirland remained a whisper in my ear. But what, exactly, was the supposed falsehood? WhatCureddid here? Kept here? The origins? What!
Unfortunately, I found no personal items, papers, files, or hidden chips. No classified history books.
