“That’s precisely what I expect. The Eurydice has not incarnated in seventy years due to her murder in her last life. If she is hurt again in this incarnation, we might never get her back.”

If she’s back now, we’re lucky. It was Charon who saved her soul in her last life—he opened his own portal into the land of the living. Sometimes I think she might have come back sooner had the Order found her murderer.

“So the Order approves of the search then?” In that moment, Roth reminds me of the child the Order thinks him to be, asking to drive his father’s car—not the soon-to-be luminary. It makes me chuckle, and I have to shut my mouth quick after glares from Abrams and my father.

“Not with your army,” Abrams says and stands. “Assemble a team—a few knights, that’s it. Choose wisely. We’ll alert knights at the other Compounds to search for her as well.”

Elite Abrams leaves and is followed by several Valryn. Some linger—including Ezekiel—and I know it’s because they support Roth’s aggressive search for the Eurydice and her prosecution for Chase’s death. Roth’s dark gaze shifts to the knights around the room. He calls out a few names—Pia, Naava, Idris—all trackers. Emerald thread embroiders the fronts of their uniforms and circles the lengths of their arms. They step forward and salute, accepting their task.

Finally, my father’s voice rings out. “Shadow knights, you are dismissed.”

I start to leave.

“Shadow Knight-in-Training Savior,” Roth says. “Stay.”

My first thought is that Roth needs me to drive him to the closest ice cream shop, but a look at my father makes me think otherwise. My heart pounds—surely Roth isn’t appointing me to search for the Eurydice too? Hadn’t he insulted my training status on the way here?

“Elite Cain tells me you have aspirations of becoming a commander.”

This is not new information to Roth. It’s one reason he gives me such a hard time.

“I would see the appointment as an honor, Successor,” I say, working hard to control my voice and move my jaw. Roth has that stupid glimmer in his eyes that tells me he knows I’m struggling and he’s amused.

“Then find the Eurydice for me.”

“Excuse me, Successor, but…I don’t want to be granted a title without having earned it.”

“If you find the Eurydice, then you have earned it, Tracker.” Roth turns to Elite Cain. “See that Shadow Knight Savior receives his new uniform promptly…and ensure my team has all the tools required to find the Eurydice. Soon.”