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

know how much time we can offer with Ness bleeding out, but we’ll do our best.

We go up the next level, and guards behind wand-turrets are rapidly firing spells down the path we need to go. Brighton’s eyes burn as he steps out and everything shoots right through him. He’s drawing all the attention on him long enough for Prudencia to telekinetically deflect the spells back into the turrets, damaging them all.

“I’m slowing you down,” Ness breathes. “Just go.”

Too many people are trying to play hero right now.

I ignore him and notice across the tower that inmates are fighting guards who are blocking one of the entrances. One celestial casts funnels of water while another throws lightning, and they electrocute the guards right as one is setting up a gleam-shield; individually these celestials might be subdued, but united they’re a force. This revolt isn’t surprising given how abusive these guards are known to be, literally forcing them to fight each other.

Every single Bound needs the full-blown investigation that Sunstar stands for—stood for?

Then more horror strikes—the inmates bust down the door and run back into the world. How many are innocent and how many are guilty?

Gas creeps out of the high ceiling vents, and I wrap my headband around Ness’s face and cover my nose.

“We’re leaving,” Brighton says.

“I’m not leaving without Tala,” Wyatt says.

“You think you’re not,” Brighton says. He grabs Wyatt’s arm and drags him through the wall. He returns by himself. “Emil, you’re both next.”

I shiver as my brother touches me, horrified by how heartless he seems. I take a deep breath on the other side of the wall, so relieved to have escaped the Bounds. Wyatt cursing Brighton’s name instantly reminds me that we’re leaving people behind. Brighton and Prudencia phase out. Brighton runs for the boat and Prudencia does me the great favor of telekinetically carrying Ness, who looks like he’s floating through the air.

“Wyatt, Wyatt, we got to go,” I say, grabbing his wrist.

“Tala is still in there!”

“They might still escape, but I need your help now. I think we have to fly Ness back to the Sanctuary fast or he might die.”

“Gleam Care can sort him out.”

“Everyone thinks he’s a criminal, and being broken out of the Bounds isn’t going to make him look innocent. Please, I know this is so selfish, but I can’t let Ness bleed out on this island after everything.”

Wyatt rests his hand on the wall as if he can feel his way through it before turning away and running toward our crew.

I hate that he’s choosing me.

I catch up, watching as one inmate flies into the air toward freedom as others run into the river and begin swimming. Some gleamcrafters are making a move for the boat, and Brighton dashes ahead, attacking them with fire-bolts until they are laid out or back away.

I mount Nox as Prudencia telekinetically sits Ness between my legs, and I hold him exactly how I’m used to holding Wyatt. Ness groans, placing his hands over mine, and leans his head back on my shoulder. This is a moment of comfort I want to live in fully and appreciate, but as Nox begins our rapid ascent toward the stars, I look back at all the chaos caused by my selfishness—Roxana waiting for Tala, who may never come, abandoning Maribelle, and how many dangerous criminals have been unleashed on our city again so I can save one innocent.

This will be the crime I’m remembered for in this lifetime.

Seventy-FourMarnettes and Córdovas

MARIBELLE

I want to begin Luna’s end but I’m not sure where to start.

My family has spent years fighting her, and it’s surreal to finally have her so vulnerable in front of me. This deserves more than instant arrows, no matter how much chaos is happening in these towers.

“This is certainly a disappointing final chapter to my journey,” Luna says as she slowly sets herself down on the bed. There are blood smears around her lips and hand. “I have accomplished more in my life than most will in lifetimes, and yet I failed in my grandest ambitions. Time was not on my side, but dying now is more merciful than a slow death in this cell. I thank you both.”

“You should’ve welcomed death after Brighton shot you,” I say.

“Dying under the Cloaked Phantom would’ve been more poetic,” Luna says. “I’ll admit, I believed Brighton Rey would be the one to kill me with my own powers, to make this full circle. A Spell Walker and Halo Knight joining forces suffices too, if not a bit boring.” She turns to Tala. “Who exactly are you?”

There is hate and heartbreak in Tala’s eyes as she finally comes face-to-face with the woman who ordered the murder of her parents. “Tala Castillo, Bronze Wing.”

“Beautiful name, but I meant more of why you’re here with your pretty crossbow.”

“You killed my parents.”

Luna studies her face. “I’m afraid I’ll need some more information. You Haloes haven’t exactly stayed out of my affairs over the years.”

“The museum,” Tala says.

“Ah, yes. Recent. That was a slaughter, though some of them fought bravely. We can pretend your parents were among them.” Luna turns to me. “The night of that gala was interesting. Upon losing your lover you cast fire and then burned my dear Anklin Prince alive. Neither Lestor nor Aurora Lucero possessed those abilities. Was this a latent power from generations ago?”

She truly has no idea of our personal relation. “I’m only coming to understand more about my family since that night.”

“Family secrets?”

“Secrets kept to protect me from family—from you.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m the biological daughter of Sera and Bautista. They hid their pregnancy from you so that you couldn’t use my power the way you used Sera for hers.”

Luna rises from the bed, closing the space between us. I don’t flinch. She’s already hurt me in the only ways she possibly can. Her green eyes stare at me in confusion, and she cocks her head. “This would be an odd lie. You said you’ve only come to