“Depends on when he dies,” he says. I flinch, and he continues, “While I’m away, I expect updates on your progress finding the Eurydice. I know Elite Cain told you to report to him, but I’m telling you different.”

“I can’t ignore Elite Cain’s orders.”

Roth laughs mockingly. “Even if he plans on stripping you of your title the moment I’m gone?”

“What?”

“Elite Cain and your father don’t like that I’ve appointed you to search for the Eurydice. And they don’t respect me as successor. The moment they have cause, you’ll be a knight-in-training again, your threads ripped free.”

I don’t doubt that. I suspected as much when the only orders I was given were to report to Elite Cain. I hadn’t been given access to the archive for files on the Eurydice or the Chase Lockwood investigation. I am, essentially, at a disadvantage compared to the other knights appointed to do the same job.

“Why did you choose me?” I ask. “To search for the Eurydice?”

“Because you have something to prove,” he says. “Look, Savior, I know your aspirations. You do this for me and I’ll give you everything. That position as commander? Yours, tomorrow if you like.”

“You just said Elite Cain and my father would strip me of the title you gave me.”

“Tomorrow, my father might be dead, and I’ll be the new luminary,” he says.

I shake my head. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

“Oh, come on, Shy. You’ll be like your father. Better even. The luminary’s guard.”

Roth knows me better than I care to admit.

“Did you offer Chase Lockwood the same thing?” I ask, coming to a stop in the passenger drop-off lane at the airport.

“Excuse me?”

“Chase Lockwood—you offered him the same thing, didn’t you? In exchange, he was to report only to you about the Eurydice.”

“Oh, Savior,” he says, offering a humorless chuckle. “You want me to be the bad guy, don’t you?”

“If the shoe fits, Roth.”

He laughs again, opening his door and grabbing his bag. “You’re smart, Savior. But if you’re as brilliant as the elites claim, you’ll consider my offer and change your attitude to your future luminary. I don’t expect an answer now, but I won’t ask again.” As he retreats, he calls back, “Reports, Savior. You don’t want to be on my bad side.”

I don’t exactly want to be on his good side either.

Chapter Twenty

Anora and Lily Martin