Page 98 of Infinity Reaper (Infinity Cycle 2)

As for the Silver Star Slayer, he’s on my damn list of people who have horrible, burning hot things coming their way.

“This is great news,” Prudencia says.

“It’s a great start, but we have no idea where Ma and Eva are.”

“I’ll call Iris. Maybe she’ll have some ideas on where to begin the search.”

I fix myself up as I head for the door. “I’ll find Emil.”

I open the door and dash down the hall, bursting with so much power and life because our mother is alive. This is my most personal opportunity to show the world why I’m called the Infinity Savior—and why you don’t mess with my family.

Fifty-One

Sunrise

EMIL

I’ve had some chill mornings here at the Sanctuary, but this one is the best. Wyatt’s arms are wrapped around me, his body pressed against mine inside this sleeping bag. Sunlight and phoenix song are slowly filling the library. I’d definitely want some of my ashes dropped here.

I’m telling Wyatt more about my family, using the last ten percent of my phone’s battery to show him some memories from my camera’s album. There’s a photo of Ma hugging me and Brighton on the day we graduated, and Bright is holding a framed picture of all of us plus Dad.

“Brighton wanted to create one of those infinity series where you take a picture with the last one you took. The next one would’ve been after we graduated from college. Then landing jobs we love. Meeting people we love.” I’m pretty sure I’m not in love with Wyatt, though it’s possible my head is just going up against my heart right now, but I know for a damn fact that I’m straight blushing because talking about love with someone whose arms are wrapped around you feels big. “The ultimate plan was to have some huge family picture with my and Brighton’s partners and kids.”

“That’s bloody sweet. You can still do this,” Wyatt says.

“It feels like we would be jinxing ourselves by doing it without Ma. Like every time we take a picture we’re guaranteeing someone photographed won’t be around next time.”

“Rubbish, love. Keep finding time for your life as if you don’t have a lot of it left, but don’t forget that you’re fighting for your future too. Make sure you’re setting yourself up for greatness—becoming a Halo Knight, infinity pictures with your families, bonding with a phoenix. Perhaps including your phoenix in your family pictures and your phoenix’s family and the families of your phoenix’s family and the—”

I flip around and shut up a smiling Wyatt with a kiss. He slides his fingers through the collar of the shirt I borrowed from him last night, trailing my collarbone. Our bodies are reacting in some super-solid ways, especially since we didn’t have sex last night because I didn’t feel up to it. I think I’ve got some work to do on myself before I’m ready to take off all my clothes in front of another person, especially someone who’s put so much work into his own body. Nothing wrong with making out though; I can tell I’m really getting the hang of it by the way Wyatt moans into my mouth.

The library door slams open so suddenly that I gasp. Memories trigger of the enforcers busting into Nova, and I’m scared that they’ve found us again. I try crawling out of the sleeping bag, but it’s tough as Wyatt tries doing the same, and then Brighton rounds the corner and his eyes widen; I think I would’ve preferred enforcers.

“Whoa!” Brighton turns around. “Sorry.”

“Bright, go!”

“Bro, no! Get dressed. There’s something you need to see.”

“Fine, wait out on the balcony!”

Brighton listens, and I find my way out of the sleeping bag. I put on my pants, damp from the river, and tell Wyatt to stay put. I meet Brighton on the balcony, one hundred percent unable to look at him.

“Now I know why you never came back to the room,” Brighton says.

“We didn’t do anything,” I say.

“There’s no need to lie—”

“I know, which is why I’m not.”

“We’ll circle back to this later. More important matters anyway. Ma’s alive.”

All embarrassment forgotten, I turn to Brighton with tears already forming in my eyes. “For real?”

Brighton hands me his phone with a video loaded. I’m nervous that it’s going to be something horrible, like when Stanton beat up Brighton on camera, but it’s an interview that starts off with that Silver Star Slayer creep and Eva. I watch the whole thing with the heat of the rising sun on my neck, and I’m so relieved Ma and Eva are alive, but there’s something off about this.

“Ma would’ve called us,” I say.