"Excellent work," the commander says as we sit in his office. I resist the urge to yawn. Marcus and I were picked up from the safe house earlier than we thought. We'd barely even finished eating before we were whisked away, leaving no time to talk about the kiss or what we even are right now.

What followed was a seven-hour drive back in the uncomfortable truck, passing through the portal, and then another five-hour journey in a blacked-out vehicle back here.

My body aches with tiredness.

"Thank you, Sir," Marcus replies.

"I can't say I completely agree with what you've offered those criminals, but if it stops them from stealing our weaponry then it's a sacrifice worth making."

"I believe they have given us more than they bargained for," Marcus says, smiling widely.

"What do you mean?" The commander asks.

"Catherine Elliot talked about her daughter."

My stomach drops.

"I think that her daughter is here, in this realm."

The commander narrows his eyes and puts down the papers. "Interesting theory," he mutters.

"It's more than just a theory," Marcus says. "I did some digging and got in touch with my contacts in the second realm. Any trace of the Elliot daughter has been erased. I had my men break into the families' houses." I can't help but feel a pulse of fear as Marcus says that. I ball my hands into fists, holding my breath.

His people were searching my home.

"There are no photographs of her anywhere," he continues. I almost let out a breath of relief. Thank you, Mother.

"I figured she must have been a student of the Royal Military Academy. So, I ordered our spies to do some digging. Again, nothing came up but a name. Rowan Elliot."

I lick my dry lips as my heart hammers in my chest. I am relieved that the commander is more focused on what Marcus says rather than on me.

"Everything about Rowan Elliot has been hidden. Her student files are gone, there are no photographs, no test results, and her teachers pretend not to know who she is."

"Interesting," the commander mutters.

"Now, why would the academy go to such lengths to erase the existence of this woman?" Marcus asks.

"Because she's here," the commander replies.

My hands sweat. I can feel more sweat tickling my neck and forehead.

"Mrs Elliot told me that if I ever came across her daughter, I'd be a dead man walking. She also made it adamantly clear that for her cooperation, her daughter must receive an official pardon and more should we win the war. The only reason why this woman would need a pardon is if she is actively committing crimes against our realm."

The commander nods his head.

A deep ache settles in my stomach as I come to a realisation that, for the first time I've ever seen it, Mother has made a mistake. By trying to protect me, she may have sentenced me to death.

I look at Marcus. He's getting close. He practically has the story. All it will take is one misplaced file or photograph, or a well-placed fourth-realm spy and that's it.

Marcus is a highly intelligent man. He's going to start putting pieces together soon. My last line of defence is myself and our relationship. If I could seduce and make him love me enough that he overlooks any small inconsistencies in my life, then perhaps it would give me the time I need to make it out of this alive.

"I have no doubts that this Rowan Elliot character is as dangerous as her mother implies," Marcus says.

"You think she's the assassin," the commander says.

Marcus smiles confidently. "I think she is," he says.

"Dig deeper into this. Activate more of our sleeper agents in the Athaine's Realm Intelligence. There is no way she isn't one of Mr Day's infamous Wraiths. I want the identity of this Rowan Elliot uncovered as soon as possible. The sooner we have a face to the name, the sooner we can find out where she's hiding in this realm."

It feels strange to hear them say Mr Day's name out loud. I don't know why I'm surprised they know who he is. I know Mr Day will know who Marcus and the commander are.

Still, I need to get a message to Cobalt, warning him about sleeper agents deep in Realm Intelligence and the fact that they're going to be after my files.

I just hope Mr Day has hidden them well.

***

Marcus and I sit in his office, eating lunch and filling out some last bits of paperwork before we're allowed to go home.

My stomach is unsettled, twisting with nausea. But I eat anyway, not wanting to give the illusion anything is wrong.

"I still don't think I completely understand what the Redbirds were doing. What were they stealing exactly?" I ask him.

"Because of the portals, we can't exactly use most of our advanced weaponry. We can't take over our fighter jets, our tanks, or many of our most powerful bombs or missiles. Anything with any sort of electrics in gets completely fried by the portals and the Second Realm is too far behind so we don't have the resources on the other side to fix our fried technology," he explains. "We pretty much have to go back to basics when it comes to vehicles and build them to the same specs they have there."

"Okay," I say, taking another bite of my sandwich.

"But, what we can take over are our guns and our clothing. There is no wiring or electricity in most of our guns, which are much more advanced and powerful than the guns that the second realm has. Our clothes are also far more superior. Our body armour is stronger and can protect against most bullets. Our coats and shoes are fully waterproof and breathable. Our soldiers on the front lines will be much better equipped than theirs. They will be more comfortable in the elements, their bodies better protected, and their guns will do more damage. Now, Second Realm spies have tried and successfully stolen our designs for some of these weapons and clothes. However, they don't have the means or technology to make them. So, whilst they invest in building the machines that can make this advanced weaponry, they must take what we are bringing instead."

I shudder, remembering the way the rain had soaked through all my military-issued gear whilst on the escape and evade exercise. I remember how I had been frozen to the bone and how I couldn't even feel my feet anymore.

Putting our miserable, freezing and wet soldiers up against soldiers who are warm and dry will result in us losing any battle with the fourth realm.

"How much do you think the Second Realm has?" I ask, trying to press for more information.

Marcus shrugs. "The Redbirds stole a lot—enough for a few thousand soldiers. There have been other operations to steal equipment from us. Some teams have been successful, other operations have not. They'll have enough to give to their most active soldiers, I think. But not enough for their whole army."

I sigh and bite at my lip, shaking my head. "I just can't believe it looks like we're heading to war."

"I know," Marcus replies, his tone souring.

I look him in the eyes, gulping and lowering my voice. "Did you mean what you said in the Second Realm? About being on the wrong side?"

Marcus closes his eyes and sighs. "We are, Ivy. If you look at it simply, then we are the invaders. But what choice do we have? Like I said to Mrs Elliot, it isn't so noticeable here, in the big, rich city. But this realm is dying. Something has to be done."

He looks into my eyes. "If you have any doubts, then this isn't the line of work for you."

"No, I don't have doubts," I say quickly. "I know what needs to be done. But that doesn't mean I feel good about it."

He sighs, looking down at his hands. "I don't feel good about it either, Ivy," he replies. "But my feelings don't matter. What matters is that this realm's future. Plus, we're not completely at fault here. The second realm could work with us. We have plenty we could share with them. Our realms could unite..." he trails off. "But that is nothing but an unrealistic dream. The fact of the matter is, both sides are too stubborn and both sides want this war."

I want to argue that the second realm doesn't want war. But I can't. Deep down, I know he's right. My realm doesn't want to share. It is too prideful to accept the knowledge this realm holds. We are all at the whims of the ego of our power-hungry politicians.

"Enough talk about that," Marcus says, stretching. "I need to get you home so you can have some well-earned rest."

"I've never needed my bed so much," I laugh.

"Neither have I," he replies and stands. He reaches for his keys, and we make our way out of his office. Marcus' hand presses against my lower back as he guides me ahead of him. I look up into his eyes and he smirks down at me.

"We should go out tomorrow night to celebrate."

"That is a wonderful idea," I reply, "do I get to dress up?"

He chuckles. "I'll take you to the finest restaurant in the city."

"You spoil me," I say, nudging him playfully.

"I assure you, Ivy, taking you to a place where you get to wear a beautiful dress comes from a place of selfishness."

We laugh. The smile on my face is wide, and it scares me how I don't have to force it. It scares me even more that I'm excited to dress up for Marcus and spend an evening with him.

"I have a red number I've been needing a good use for," I say to him with a playful wink. His smile is dazzling.

"That sounds perfect," he says.

"What does this make us, Marcus?" I ask softly. We come to a stop at the lift. Marcus looks around, making sure we're alone. Then, he steps closer to me, our chests touching.

"What do you want us to be?" he asks.

I bite at my lip. "I'm not interested in casual relationships and I'm not the type of woman who shares. I'm selfish that way," I reply, keeping my voice confident and my gaze playfully seductive as I stare up into his eyes through my lashes.

His eyes almost seem to sparkle, and his smirk is so beautiful that I want to grab his shirt and pull his lips to mine.

My breath hitches as he strokes a strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear, leaving behind a trail of heat where his finger tickled my skin. "I've never met a woman as strong, beautiful, and intelligent as you, Ivy," he says, "I want every part of you, and I want you all to myself. I'm selfish that way," he says, echoing my words.

Heat surges through me and my smile widens.

"I want to get to know you, Ivy. I want to take this relationship between us seriously and see where it goes."

"I want that too," I reply.

"Good," he says and the doors to the lift open. "Let's get home."

"Yes, please."

As the doors close, someone shouts from down the hall.

"Marcus! Marcus!"

Marcus steps out of the lift. I frown, following him out.

"What is it?" he asks as Hallows runs toward us.

"We've found her," he says. "The Money Rat. We've found her. An arrest is being made as we speak."

My heart stops.

I look at Marcus, whose eyes are wide. "Excellent," he says, then looks at me. "Ivy..."

"It's fine," I say, "I can make my way home. This is more important."

"We may need her translating skills. This is an Athainian spy," Hallows says.

"Not today. Let's just focus on getting this Money Rat apprehended and in custody. Questioning can come later. Ivy needs to rest."

"Okay," Hallows says.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Marcus says, then winks at me. I roll my eyes and press the button to close the doors.

"Bye, Marcus," I say as they shut.

Once the doors are closed, the smile falls from my face. One of my people has been caught. Just thinking about what awaits them sends shivers down my spine. That could very much be me at any moment.

***

My journey home is unsettling. The sense of dread gnaws at me. The hairs on my neck stand with the feeling that something is coming.

As I walk toward my apartment, a hodded figure bumps into me. I gasp as I feel their hand slip something into my pocket. They aren't subtle and that's on purpose. They are gone before I can do anything.

My hand reaches into my pocket. A cold chill ripples through me as I feel the familiar glass cylinder that I know carries a piece of hair.

I already know whose hair it will be.

Before I can fully process what I'm going to have to do, my phone rings and I answer it.

"Compromised Agent. Terminate immediately. Your cover depends on it."

The voice is monotone. Electronic. The call ends before I can reply.

Gulping back my fear, I rush into my apartment building. My heart races wildly, my veins burning with adrenaline. A strange, clammy sweat breaks out across my skin and I resist the urge to cry.

They want me to kill one of my own.

I can barely breathe. Loud ringing fills my ears as I try to process everything.

Connor is waiting for me when I get in. "Are you okay? I got an order to come here."

"I need to dream walk," I tell him through my laboured breathing.

"Why? I thought you were ordered not to."

I pull out the vial in my pocket. "An agent has been compromised."

His face falls, his skin paling slightly as he realises.

We walk to my room. My body trembles violently. It takes all my strength not to sob.

Connor grabs my shoulders and makes me look into his eyes.

"Ivy," he whispers, "what you're about to do will be a mercy. What waits for them is much worse than death. If that were us in their position, we would want the same thing."

I nod my head and move to my bed. Connor closes and locks my door. Then, he takes a seat in his chair, holding a gun. I look over at him.

"I haven't even had a chance to catch you up on everything at home," I say, my vision blurring with tears. He smiles softly.

"You can tell me after. Now, we have work to do. Go, Ivy. I'll protect you whilst you're gone."

I look away from him and wrap the strand of long, black, curly hair around my finger. Then, I close my eyes. I take slow, deep breaths, trying to calm my pounding heart.

I force all my thoughts from my mind. Soon, heaviness falls over me. Pressure gnaws at my joints. Then, there is nothing.

I open my eyes, looking down at my sleeping body. I pull on the golden thread coming from the hair.

Immediately, I am yanked from the room. I hurtle across the city at impossible speeds. I don't even see the building I enter.

In a matter of seconds, I'm in a tiny white room. My chest tightens as I see the woman sitting on a metal chair, her wrists bound by thick metal cuffs attached to the metal table in the middle of the room.

Now I know why they needed me to do this immediately.

Miss T knows me.

She was the one who taught me how to navigate this world. She was my safety when I first entered this strange place.

And now, I have to kill her.

She looks different to how she did all those months ago. Gone is the elegant woman in her smart suits. Before me is a woman, beaten and bruised. Blood stains her white vest, coming from her swollen lip. More blood dribbles down from a cut in her head. Her expression is grim. She doesn't cry. She looks straight ahead at the black, mirrored window. Her posture is proud, despite the situation she's in. I don't miss the way her lips quiver though.

No, she deserves more than this. I wouldn't have survived this world if it weren't for her guidance. She deserves to die respectfully. Not by having someone take over her body and put a gun in her mouth.

Taking in a deep breath, I step into her body. She tenses immediately and I feel her mind scrambling against mine. She panics, but as she realises what's happening she relaxes.

I don't push her down completely.

"I'm sorry," I say through her mouth, speaking Athainian, knowing she can hear me. Then, I pull back.

"It's you, isn't it?" she asks, her voice hoarse.

I take over again. "It is," I whisper, then pull away.

The door opens and a guard walks in.

"Shut it," he hisses.

"Is it going to hurt?" she asks, still speaking Athainian. There is fear in her voice. I feel it spike inside her, making her body tingle unpleasantly.

"What did I just say?" the guard growls. We both ignore him. I take over again.

"No," I say, "I'll push you right down. I'll have complete control. It will be like going to sleep. You won't feel a thing."

The guard comes over and slams his fist into her face with a sadistic laugh. "You can talk all you want when the boss arrives," he says lowly. The taste of blood fills her mouth and I spit it onto the floor. Still not fully in control, I let Miss T glare up at the guard.

"Take out as many of these fuckers as you can," she tells me, her voice laced with venom. The guard slams his fist into her stomach. The wind leaves her body and a dull ache spreads across her abdomen. She speaks again. "It was an honour serving my realm," she croaks. "Don't feel bad for what you're about to do. I knew this would be my end."

The guard shakes his head and grabs her by the hair, yanking her head back. She cries out as pain shoots through her.

"Be. Silent," he hisses, spit hurtling from his mouth and landing on her face.

"Please make sure a message is sent to my family," she whimpers, tears falling down the sides of her face. "Tell them I love them."

His hand tightens in her hair.

"I will," I reply through her mouth.

"Thank you," she says as I let her have her final words. "I'm ready now."

I take over completely, pushing her down so far that I can barely even feel her consciousness any more.

My eyes meet the guards. I move in a flash.

Her legs weren't secured. Before he even realises what's happening, I've slammed my foot into his kneecap.

He screams, buckling. He lets go, falling onto me. I kick him off and slam my foot into his stomach. The air rushes out of his body with an awful gasp. I press my foot tightly on his neck, watching with sick satisfaction as his face gets redder, his eyes bulging.

"Key," I say. His trembling hands reach for the key chain on his belt. I release pressure on his neck and he gasps desperately. He unhooks the key and holds it out.

"On the table," I order. He reaches up and slides it across the table.

"Thank you," I say, then smile at him and stamp brutally on his throat.

His mouth drops open in shock, but no sounds come out. He writhes, clutching at his throat, unable to breathe. I ignore him as I stand up. My hands are still cuffed to the table and I can't move them. I pick the key up with my mouth and spin it into the right position with my tongue. Then, I lean down.

It takes me a few attempts to get the key into the lock, but after a few moments, it slides in. With a twist of my head, there is a click and the cuffs undo.

I'm free.

There is no time to waste. Reaching down, I take the gun from the holster of the now-dead guard.

He had left the door to the room unlocked and I charge out of it.

Already guards rush toward me. An alarm must have been sounded when I attacked the first one.

I raise the gun, firing. My shots don't miss.

Rage fuels me. These people would have stood by as Miss T was tortured. These people are aiding this realm in invading my home.

Everything is a blur as I duck, attack, and leap around guards. My movements are expert. They are precise. They are fast. My mind is blank as I move on instinct.

"Don't kill her!" I recognise Marcus' voice instantly.

It's time.

I spin as a guard lunges for me, grabbing his gun from his holster. I slam the butt of it into his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

My eyes meet Marcus as I raise the cold metal to Miss T's head.

"NO!" Marcus shouts and disappears in a black cloud, coming to stop me.

I pull the trigger.