The almost genius of Justin’s attack seemed lost on him. He frowned and turned to Lola. “What’s he talking about? Gamemaster?” Lola cursed under her breath.
Then, to Enne’s repulsion, Bryce started clapping a second time. Enne felt her fury rising. No, she refused to let herself be bullied into powerlessness. No matter what parts of her life Bryce had orchestrated, she was still the girl who’d broken the Shadow Game, who’d slain the wolf, who’d survived the witch. She’d seen the city hate her; she’d seen the city love her. She was the daughter of Lourdes Alfero, the bravest person she’d ever known. She was the daughter of Gabrielle Dondelair, who’d died to protect her. She was the daughter of Veil, who’d bested his foes, even in death.
She was the last surviving Mizer, and the one who’d put a bullet in the Bargainer’s head.
It didn’t matter how much Bryce or the City of Sin took from her, if she’d been stripped of her identity and left as no one. She was still more powerful than anyone had ever given her credit for.
And she wasn’t alone—her friends flanked her on either side.
“You’re going to heal him,” Enne told Bryce scathingly. “You’ve manipulated everyone’s lives. You have so much blood on your hands. So you are going tofix Levior—”
“Or what?” Bryce asked, smirking. He studied Levi without sympathy. “I don’t care if you gave me what I wanted. You were Vianca’s favorite—I haven’t forgotten.”
“Vianca’s the reason I’m doomed?” Levi asked, laughing. Enne didn’t understand how he could be laughing. She hoped it was shock. She hoped it wasn’t the sound of the Iron Lord giving up. “I’m sure she’s pleased down there.” He stomped the ground lightly, as though the donna might hear.
Enne was torn between launching herself at Bryce or falling to her knees. Their bullets were futile. Their pleas were worthless.
Enne did have one trick remaining, and it rested secretly in her pocket. If Enne could overpower Bryce, she could give him the king’s token with Veil’s talent sealed inside—she could corrupt him the same way she’d corrupted Arabella. But if she took away his power, then he wouldn’t be able to heal Levi.
“It’s seven against one,” Sophia breathed. “But it’s a million to one, if you’re counting the odds.”
“You’ve beaten worse odds,” Delaney said. “Haven’t you, Enne?”
“Does it count if you’ve cheated?” Enne asked nervously.
“Absolutely,” Levi answered.
“Are you just going to stand there?” Bryce goaded, holding his arms out like a man crucified, like he wanted to be attacked. “Why not try your luck?” He licked his lips. “Hit me.”
She wanted to, but she knew such an attack would be pointless. For all Grace and Roy had taught her, Bryce had truly outsmarted them. They had no moves left. This was checkmate.
“Enough,”a voice called out, and Enne’s eyes widened as Harvey approached them, unsure from the determined look on his face who he’d been speaking to, which side he was on. “Bryce, that’s enough.”
Bryce laughed. “I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t even made a move.” He attempted to take a step toward Harvey, but his foot halted midair, as though he’d knocked into something. He reached out in front of him and placed his palm out, slamming it down, as though an invisible barrier blocked his path.
“No,” he said hoarsely. “No. No! NO!” He pounded on the wall Enne couldn’t see, pounded on it from all sides. It was like he was boxed into the corner where he stood, trapped.
Bryce’s head whipped to Harvey, and only then did Enne understand what had happened. Harvey had Chained him.
“I can break this, Harvey,” Bryce snarled. “I’m strong now. I...” But even as he pounded faster, harder, the enclosure around him remained.
“I have done so much for you,” Harvey said softly, stepping closer. Enne let him pass, so he could look Bryce face-to-face. “I’ve done everything for you. And you may be powerful, but can even you surpass the power of all that debt?”
Bryce’s expression settled into horror, and Enne could hardly believe it herself. That Harvey had really stopped him.
“No!”Rebecca shouted, dodging out of the way of yet another one of Grace’s blows. She pointed a shaking finger at Harvey. “Don’t youdare.”
Normally, Enne wouldn’t trust Harvey. Not after what he’d done. Not under any circumstances.
But now she stepped in between him and Rebecca. “Don’t touch him,” she snapped.
Delaney, Sophia, Lola, Tock, and Poppy all joined her, forming a barricade between Harvey and the Dove Lord. Rebecca gritted her teeth.
Enne turned around and looked Harvey in the eyes. “Can we trust you?” she asked.
He squeezed his Creed. It reminded her of Jac. “Yes.”
She glanced at Levi, who had finally slid down to the floor, watching with a mixture of relief and shock.
