I do my best to control my reaction, but inside, my heart races like it wants to escape the cage of my ribs. The air in the room feels heavy, like someone’s sucked all the oxygen out of it.

The Eurydice inspires war like religion because the Valryn are usually split on how to handle her powers. Sure, it’s our job to train and support her, but does that mean we let her loose in the world, or do we keep her on a tight leash?

“Efforts, Successor?” Elite Abrams asks. Abrams is tall and lithe and has long black hair. His voice is as imposing as his figure. “Have we confirmed her incarnation?”

Instead of answering, Roth explains, “We believe Shadow Knight-in-Training Lockwood was tracking the Eurydice before his death.”

Lockwood? The knight who died in New York a couple months back?

“On what grounds?” Elite Val asks. Valryn around the room exchange looks.

“A journal was discovered among Lockwood’s things after he passed. It included information on a girl who captured souls with a thread that he suspected was the Eurydice.”

Well, that is pretty incriminating. The Eurydice is the only being who controls the Thread of Fate. She uses it to make resurrection coins. They are her way of ensuring souls pass safely through the Adamantine Gates. Still, there’s something in the way Roth keeps glancing to the side that makes me think he’s not telling the whole truth.

“Why are we just now hearing about this?” Elite Abrams looks around the room, as if someone other than Roth DuPont can tell him. The Order has never really respected Roth, even if he is the future luminary. They mostly just placate him like a spoiled child. “Shadow Knight-in-Training Lockwood died two months ago.”

“The case was being investigated, Elite Abrams,” Roth says. “It appears Shadow Knight-in-Training Lockwood went rogue. He was still training, after all.” Roth’s eyes slither to me. I clench my hands behind my back. “He must have realized he was on the trail of the Eurydice and thought he could bring her in all by himself.”

Something about that doesn’t sit well with me and not just because Roth looks at me as he speaks.

“Are you suggesting the Eurydice had something to do with Lockwood’s death?” Elite Abrams asks.

“Chase Lockwood, a healthy, teenage Valryn, dropped dead out of nowhere, and while the police ruled his death natural causes, the evidence suggests otherwise. Lockwood’s soul was stolen.”

There’s a heavy silence.

“If this is the case, what of the Eurydice? Have we been able to track her movements?” Elite Gwen asks. Her pale hair stands out like a white flame amid the black-clad members.