Everlife

“First, put your weapons away.” We can’t hurt our own people.

Um, we might have to hurt our own people.

The first wave of protestors begin to climb onto the dais.

Oh, wow! The first line is knocked to the ground as a pack of animals leaps forward. A pit bull is at the helm. The one I saw patrolling the area just beyond the Veil of Wings. He still looks like he’s smiling.

“We go now.” His nails click-clack against the dais as he prowls inside the circle. “We go to safety.”

He’s talking to me? “Take my friends to safety. I need to find—”

“Your man. I know.” His dark eyes fill with...admiration? “I also know where he is being held. Had one of my pups follow General Shamus. So we go now?”

“Yes, yes. We’ll go now.”

“Flankers!” he shouts.

In seconds, the pack of dogs, wolves, lions and tigers surrounds us, blocking everyone, including Luciana.

“What the—the animals are helping you now?” Archer gasps out.

“Maybe?” Or we’re about to be mauled. “Eron assigned everyone a guardian.”

“Hop on,” the pit bull says.

Whoa. “Hop on to you?”

“No, silly hooman. Les cavaliers.”

Even as he speaks, a pack of zebras fights through the crowd and jumps on the dais. Six zebras, to be exact.

Six. Three letters. 3 + 3 = 6. Black-and-white beauties, wild yet tame.

“Pony express to the rescue?” Archer mumbles as he mounts the zebra closest to him. “Okay. I’m game.”

Raanan, Clay and Reed each mount a zebra of their own. I’m the only one to hesitate. I’ve ridden a horse—once—but not bareback. Maybe I should—

Zero! Second-guessing this plan of action costs me. The zebras race forward, leaving me behind.

“Wait!” I call.

“I’ve got you.” Archer turns his zebra around, comes up beside me, and hauls me up.

We jump from the dais. The gasping crowd parts, allowing us to land without causing or sustaining injury. The crowd continues to part as we gallop away. No one wants to be mowed down.

Wind in my hair, a friend at my back. What a rescue! In front of us, Clay, Reed and Raanan are sitting atop zebras of their own. One after the other, we blaze through a Stairwell, then a Gate and end up in the Tower of Might, where destruction from the recent attack is rampant.

One of the riderless zebras turns and enters the Gate we just exited.

—I’m on my way, Killian.—

I wait, tense, but no response comes in. Did something happen to him?

The dog keeps pace beside us. “Message your Clementine, tell her to hide us in the Eye. The one who left us, he is erasing our tracks.”

“First things first. Why are you helping us?” Archer asks.

I don’t need a reason. I obey, sending the requested message.

The dog’s tongue is hanging out as he pants, and yet, he looks like he’s smiling again. “The girl. Number ten who should be number one. I’m her guardian.”

He’s mine? Truly?

His gaze flicks to me. “You’re overwhelmed, I know. You accept me. I get it. No need to gush.”

I’m the one smiling this time. “Maybe I can gush a little? It’s clear I got the best of the bunch.”

He preens. “You did, didn’t you?”

“No question,” I say. “What is your name? And how did you get all these other animals to aid us?”

“I’m Biscuit.” He flashes his teeth in the most mischievous expression I’ve ever beheld. “The others volunteered. That’ll teach the citizens to reject us.”

Yes. Yes, it would. “Is it rude of me to ask about your breed? I’m guessing pit bull, but I want to be sure.”

“Why?” he snaps. “So you can tell me I’m too dangerous and—”

“So I can wear the right I heart my dog T-shirt.”

He snorts. “I sneaked a smell of your butt when you weren’t looking, so we’re past rude, I’m thinking. I’m a mutt. A mix of everything, but mostly pit bull, shitzu and...poodle.” He grumbles the last, as if it’s a shameful secret.

I press my lips together. Do not laugh. “Poodles are the worst of the worst, huh?”

He snaps his teeth at me, and I can’t stop my laugh this time.

“I’m foaming at the mouth with envy right now,” Archer says, and I swear he’s almost pouting. “I want a guardian animal.”

“You have one,” Biscuit says. “She’s waiting for you at our destination, guarding the Myriadian.”

He rubs his hands together with glee. “What is she? A bear? Lion? Cheetah?”

“No, she’s worse. Her name is Beast.”

My dog—mine!—says no more, but no other words are needed. Archer is vibrating with eagerness.

As we whiz past a pile of rubble, my amusement fades, and sadness swells inside of me. All this debris... How many citizens did we lose? At least I can stop wondering about Nico. He may hate me, for whatever reason, but at least I know he isn’t trapped.

I also ache for the realm itself. The Tower of Might used to be a treasure trove of skyscrapers and arenas. A blend of futuristic and ancient Rome.