The Transfer is cold, comfortably dismal, and on this blessed night, understandably empty of its usual cheerful occupants.

I let out a heavy sigh as I lead Coop to the entry of my infernal home.

“Let’s take a minute.” I glance at the window where a peach glow emits. “That’s Tobie’s room.” I nod in that direction. “I gave Kresley the bed next to hers. Far more than I wanted Kres to bond with her, I wanted Tobie to know a female presence. Kres has been good to her, though, and I appreciate that.”

Coop blows out a tired breath as she shakes his head at the window. “You always did like Kres. When Laken showed up at Ephemeral, she begged you to choose her, but you stayed with Kresley. That says something, Wes. You care about her more than you realize.”

My heart shreds as I remember our time back at that haunted academy where Demetri, my own father, roamed the grounds. “I was confused. You know that. I wanted Laken, and I didn’t understand why.”

“I know.” He sinks his forehead into his hand, already tired of my speech. “Does Kres know why you had her playing body double?”

It takes a full minute before I can bring myself to answer. “No, I let her enjoy the ride. I had a feeling it would be for a season. In no way did I imagine I’d need her services so soon.”

“Wes.” Coop takes a staggering step back. “Kresley Fisher is about to be handed over to the enemy. They will gut her alive and not think twice.” He shakes his head as if it were suddenly too real. “If she’s not volunteering to take Laken’s place in that facility, I can’t do this with a good conscience and a clean heart. I want no part in this. There is another way, and I’ll find it.”

A dull laugh thumps through me. “This is the only way. Trust me, I know. Laken will have to lay low—maybe wear her hair different for a time. She said she didn’t give them her name.”

“That’s true. But Chloe could have given them that, plus her driver’s license number. She’s not playing fair. She certainly doesn’t give a shit about her.” He steps in quick, his anger already percolating at eye level. “And you want to know why she did this? To get back at you. Because Chloe, like everybody, knows that Laken is the only thing you care about. My God, I hope you love Tobie half as much.” He grunts in a fury. “And because of your unrelenting obsession with my wife, Laken will always be a mark for your enemies. They will always know the best way to hurt you is through that black heart of yours, which you buried in Laken all those years ago.” His chest bucks with a quiet laugh. “And, of course, if you do love Tobie as much as you want the world to believe, she too will be a target for your enemies. You are a dangerous person, Wes.” He leans in and growls out the words, “As long as you are pushing Demetri’s agenda, you will remain a toxic being that nobody in their right mind should ever be close to.” His eyes close a moment. “The irony here is that the only woman who has ever loved you with as much zealousness that you pour out on Laken is Kresley. She moved to Paragon for you. She changed her face for you. She’s holding your daughter while you cavort with the living on the surface, and all the while you’re gearing up to bloody the waters with her, feed those hungry sharks you’ve lured to the island.” He shakes his head, dismayed. “You’re wrong, Wes. Laken will be in danger for a very long time because of your foolishness.” He steps in quick and snatches me up by the collar, his angry mouth a breath away from mine. “I’ve got a little newsflash for you. The reason Laken and I haven’t sunk you into a grave of your own is because we have something far better waiting for you. A few friends of ours got together—all plotting your demise. We’re taking you to the Justice Alliance. We already submitted the suit against you long before you kidnapped Kres and deformed her. You’re going to rot in a hell of your own making. How dare you fuck my wife day in and day out back in time, here in the Transfer—both under false pretenses. You built a rock solid case against yourself, Wes. Going back to sleep with Laken was reprehensible, but when we learned of Kresley, we all but high-fived one another because you sealed your fate. You rape Laken every time you sleep with her, with Chloe in Laken’s form—with Kres and that mask she wears like a clown for you. The Justice Alliance is fucking pissed, and so am I. Remember back at Ephemeral when you came to me for advice? When I was your right-hand man? The cleanup committee? The one you relied on most? I was your fucking brain, Wes.” He gives me a hard shove, and I stagger to gain my footing. “When you stopped listening to me, you failed hard and fast.”

“Funny thing about that is you never encouraged me to run to Laken.”

“That’s because I knew you weren’t the one for her. I was.” He speeds past me into the house, and I swoop in beside him.

“Where the hell are you going?” I follow him to the back as he shouts for Kresley.

“I have to warn her.”

“The hell you are.” I slam him to the wall, and his head gives a satisfying thump. “Sorry, Coop. You’re not fucking this up for me.” I bash his head into the stone over and over, and Coop takes the moment to knee me in the balls. He cuts my legs out from underneath me, and soon we’re rolling across the floor, fists flying, blood splattering, sucker punching, kicking the shit out of one another, rolling ever so close to the fire.

We will not give up. One of us will simply have to die. Laken will not suffer. I don’t give a flying fuck about Coop’s good conscience, his clean heart.

Laken will live.

She will thrive.

I’ll sacrifice the world to make that happen.