“Then it’s time to come clean,” I insisted. “For fuck’s sake, Stephen, how many times has she almost died because of them?” My frustration was starting to boil over.
“We never intended for the Radicals to exist,” he murmured, but his words only fueled my anger.
“They used a fucking Amplifier on her!” I shouted. “She almost died savingme!” My tone was raw with emotion, realizing what she’d done for me. “And I repaid her with nothing more than lies!”
I dragged more oxygen into my lungs, clenching my jaw as I exhaled. “I’m telling her the truth,” I said again, more resolutely.
Stephen sighed deeply; disappointment etched on his face. I didn’t care; enough was enough. My gaze locked with his. “I need you to come with me to Cyclos. I want you there when I tell her everything.”
He shook his head, his expression firm. “I can’t, James. Not right now. The European Collectives are in chaos over the Amplifier, and Crown has been tasked with tracking it down. Caden Colt requested an audience with me concerning its destruction, and he’s due to arrive here any moment.”
I exhaled slowly, frustration flaring. Fucking Colt. Sure, he saved my life at Crown, but the guy had the worst timing imaginable.
“But once I’ve met with him, if you’re still set on telling,” Stephen said with a resigned tone. “we’ll tell her together. However, don’t blame me if it doesn’t go the way you’re hoping.”
I frowned, a knot of anxiety tightening. “What do you mean?”
He rubbed his mouth before he spoke. “Do you really think Emma’s going to take it well—finding out you’ve been lying to her all this time?”
“Lying to her about what?”
The voice came from behind me. Soft. Controlled. But unmistakably hers.
What the hell?
I turned, heart stuttering, right in time to see Emma step through a portal of her own. She moved with purpose, her expression sharp with anger and suspicion. Without a word, she crossed the room and sat down beside me, her attention snapping to Stephen, then flicking to me—narrowed and calculating.
“Hi Emma, nice to see you again,” he said, forcing a strained smile.
I felt a wave of panic.How the hell was she here?
Emma’s stare was icy. “I wish I could say the same, but overhearing the tone of your conversation has me more than a bit concerned.”
Stephen nodded, sympathy flickering in his eyes. “Well, then in light of James’s request, I guess it’s time to lay the cards on the table.”
He gave me a curt nod, a silent signal the floor was mine. I turned to Emma, my heart pounding like a war drum. I could only hope she’d find it in herself to forgive me once everything was laid bare.
Emma’s stare bore into me, her mouth pressed into a thin line. Waiting for an explanation. Expecting an excuse.
Where to even fucking begin?
I cracked my neck, and tried to shake off the nerves, before I moved closer to her. Now sitting beside her with Stephen across on the other couch, his focus was pinned on me, scrutinizing every move I made. He was taking a significant risk by letting mereveal our truth, and the gravity of his gamble was hanging in the air.
“I’m not the real Leader of Cyclos,” I whispered, keeping my voice low, hoping it would somehow soften the blow.
Emma stiffened, shock flashing across her features. “What do you mean?”
I took a deep breath, preparing to lay everything out when suddenly a green portal began to shimmer in the room.
Godsdammit, not now!
Caden Colt stepped through, his gaze locking with mine, giving a single, almost imperceptible nod. Then turned to Stephen, who did the same. But before I could introduce him to my girl…
Emma gasped beside me, as if the very air had been knocked from her at the sight of him.
I turned to her, alarm prickling through me as I watched the color drain from her face. Her body began to tremble, her entire demeanor shifting in an instant.
“Emma, what’s wrong?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. She looked like she’d seen a fucking ghost.
