Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera (best new books to read txt) 📗

Wyatt and Tala agree to take first watch for any sign of trouble.

The kitchens are closed, so I risk pissing everyone off some more by sneaking in. Ma and Eva need a substantial meal after living off soda, soup, and crackers for two weeks. I cook an entire pot of bow-tie pasta and broccoli with lemon while checking in on social media. I have a flood of comments from celestials trying to cancel me and calling me a traitor to the cause for using my powers to not only seem above the law, but to attack a man of the law’s home. The Silver Star Slayer is calling us dangerous instead of heroic, as if he understands the physical and psychological abuse my mother suffered. There’s no telling what I’ll do to him if I find out he knew. Celestial politicians are condemning our behavior too without knowing the full story. People turn on their allies too quickly these days.

Everyone will know the truth soon.

I bring the meal to the dining hall. Eva is talking to Maribelle as we await the arrival of Iris and Wesley’s family, who we reached on the drive back. Emil returns with Ma just in time from standing guard outside the bathroom as she showered. She wanted privacy and protection and Emil gave her both. Prudencia is working on the Starstifler potion, which will be done sometime in the middle of the night.

Eva is half-asleep on the table and too sick to finish eating as Ma tells us all about how Ness was tricked into getting personal stories from them for the Silver Star Slayer’s interviews. Then she confirms our suspicions about Luna and the Blood Casters working with Iron. It’s despicable the lengths Iron’s team has gone through to rig this election. I wonder how many of his supporters will even care that his bodyguards had no problems assaulting two women, one of whom is a pacifist who wouldn’t fight back even if she had an offensive power.

“EVA!”

We all turn.

Iris is running so fast through the dining hall it’s as if she thinks she’s swift-speeded like Wesley, who’s coming up behind her with Ruth, Esther, and Tala. Eva nearly trips over herself in her sleepy daze, and Iris picks her up into the tightest hug. I expect them to say how much they love each other or something, but they’re both quiet and just breathing together.

This is the closest thing to a family reunion the Spell Walkers can have, but I only see one thing at this large gathering—our army is growing.

Everyone is packed into the Sanctuary’s lab. This reminds me when we first gathered with the Spell Walkers in Nova’s brewing chamber except we’re not guests this time—we’re in charge. It’s almost two in the morning when we finish updating the Spell Walkers and Co. on everything we’ve been up to since first arriving here.

“Wow. Time travel,” Wesley says. “It doesn’t seem fair that we hosted you in our secret home too, only to miss out on all the cool time traveling.”

“They also stole your car,” Iris says, her arm wrapped around Eva’s shoulder.

“Rules don’t apply to time travelers.”

“False,” Emil says as he puts what little muscle he has into stirring the Starstifler, which is thickening like paste. How on earth is anyone supposed to drink that? It’s going to be exhausting for him when he has to retrocycle again to figure out where he went wrong.

Ma fights back a yawn, refusing to rest because she misses us so much.

Maribelle is on my laptop with one earphone in. “Iron will be making a speech shortly.”

“Aw, he’s going to apologize for all the kidnapping and lies,” Wesley says.

“I’m grateful to everyone for saving Eva and Carolina,” Iris says. “I would’ve loved for it to have been less destructive, but we’re at where we’re at. What’s your strategy to offset this?”

“Going to use my channels—the ones you hate so much,” I say. I can’t help but be a little petty now that the tables have turned. Maribelle smirks too. “My platform has grown, so we have Ma and Eva tell their true stories.”

“But you don’t have proof,” Iris says.

“His supporters don’t care about proof.”

Iris scoffs. “They don’t care when it suits their narrative, but they will challenge everything else. I’m genuinely shocked you didn’t stream the whole rescue mission for your followers.”

Prudencia grabs my hand. “It says a lot about Brighton that he didn’t. Our plan wasn’t perfect, but we did our best not even knowing if there was anyone to save.”

I turn to Prudencia, noticing that Ma is smiling at her too. She’s always known there’s been something between us, and I’m happy she’ll be around to watch us grow.

“That doesn’t mean we won’t take accountability for our actions,” Prudencia says. “Brighton’s idea for an interview is great, and we can let everyone know about the Starstifler.”

“I thought we weren’t mentioning that,” I say.

“You and Emil are viewed as unnecessary threats since you’re specters. You’re not supposed to have powers in the first place, and if we can prove to everyone that you’ll be binding them, it could go a long way in building back some goodwill,” Prudencia says.

I want to let go of her hand, but I stay still.

“Oh, good,” Ma says. “Send those powers back. The ghost ones are so unnatural.”

Wesley’s eyes widen. “You have spooky ghost powers too? We need to start a group chat.”

“I phased tonight,” I say.

“Superstar,” Wesley says.

“But those powers are evil,” Ma says.

I don’t have my usual blood-and-bones instinct, but I can tell a classic gang-up is beginning. “Powers don’t have some bright or dark side by nature. I saved everyone tonight with phoenix fire and dashing and phasing. All I’ve ever wanted to do was help and make a difference. I’m continuing the work that started with my series.”

“What if you lose yourself?” Emil asks. “June doesn’t speak.”

“I’m chatting away, bro. And I don’t appreciate being put in the same category