We head back to Swanson. The path is the same. Bumpy. Boring.

  Asuna stares at her tablet. "Chuboki!" She passes it to him. "She's back."

  Chuboki swipes through the photos. "Who's that with her?"

  Asuna shrugs. "Haven't seen him before."

  Chuboki looks at me. I reach for the tablet and swipe. "Do you have a video of their interaction?"

  Asuna shakes her head. "The video on my cameras comes out grainy and the audio is weak. If Melody were here..." She touches her lips.

  I hum. "It looks like he... He attacked my family!" I shake. "They went to my apartment. That's when Veronica showed up and kicked him off the stairs. What's she doing?" I swipe. "He hits her, then he leaves and she goes to my apartment."

  Sian touches her chin. "Why would she defend them?"

  Zanir grunts. "Probably wants intel."

  Vendetta laughs. "Or to get to you!" She stares at me.

  I hand the tablet to Asuna, then lock eyes with Chuboki. He tilts his head. I nod.

  He stretches. "Whatever she's planning, we'll be ready." He reaches under the seat and pulls out his axe. "Once you give the order..."

  I raise my hand. "This could be our way to get to Nebula."

  Chuboki growls. "We don't have the manpower for a strike against SAAF! Didn't you see what she did? She destroyed the Wyre!"

  I cross my arms and lean back. "She didn't destroy us."

  Chuboki snarls. "You can't keep doing this! If you stage an attack, I won't follow!"

  I sigh. "You're right, Chu. Attacking the Sentients isn't a good idea, but we can use Veronica. She might know something."

  Asuna touches Chuboki's shoulder. "We should listen to Zachariah. This woman is a lead Axehead and she's making contact for a reason. We should find out what she wants."

  Chuboki's grip tightens around his axe. "She could hurt us!"

  Zanir chuckles. "The seven of us against one of her?"

  Ava holds a ball of electricity in her hand and snickers. "She wouldn't stand a chance!"

  Chuboki grumbles. "The Axeheads may not be all-powerful, but if this is their leader... She'll be different." He glares at me. "There's no guarantee she'll give us anything useful."

  I nod. "If she's trying to get inside and infiltrate what's left of the Wyre, then we might be able to leverage that."

  Chuboki raises a brow. "What are you suggesting?"

  Vendetta cracks her knuckles. "I get what you're saying! We set a trap for her!"

  Ava grins at Sian. "With our spellwork, she won't know what's happening!"

  Zanir looks down at his sword. "We can lure the other Axeheads in and..."

  Chuboki's nostrils flare.

  I swallow. "Yes, we should trick her. Not to lure more in—to feed Nebula false information."

  The driver chimes. "We need a fake strategy! Can't trick her if we don't have a solid plan!"

  I look at Asuna. "We need Veronica to think we're targeting someone specific."

  She swipes through photos. "I have plenty of pictures. Who should we pick?"

  I nod to Chuboki.

  He hums. "We don't know the others well enough to pretend they're important."

  I shrug. "So let's go with what we know."

  He huffs. "The twins?" We lock eyes. "They're the most troublesome." He punches his axe. "What if she leads us to them? We can't take that many on!"

  I look at Ava. "We don't need to go to them. We need Veronica to think we are."

  Ava smirks. "Illusion work?" She nods. "I could put something together!"

  Sian waves her staff. "I can help with that."

  Zanir and Vendetta look at each other. Vendetta smiles. "I wouldn't mind posing as an Axehead. The only problem is we have no idea how they fight."

  Chuboki nods at me. "I assume you have a solution."

  I purse my lips. "I can..." I touch my chest. "Maybe you can." I point to the necklace. "Ask Rorno if she can use your memories and divide them among the others."

  He snorts. "She knew you'd ask!" He pulls off the necklace and holds it out. "Everyone touch the stone."

  They lean in, then stiffen in their seats. Their eyes dart around the truck. Hearts pound. Breathes quick.

  Sian clings to Chuboki. "How did you survive that?"

  Vendetta groans. "Think I'm gonna be sick!"

  Zanir pats her back. "Try not to get any on me."

  Asuna gulps. "We can use this." She looks at the driver. "Geko, you'll need to be on lookout while we tend to her."

  He holds a thumb up. "What I'm here for!"

  I lean forward. "Let's go over the details..."

  Tears drop from Veronica's chin. "That's why... I couldn't... I wouldn't go with him."

  Theresa sits next to her and sniffles. "I understand what you're feeling." She takes Veronica's hand. "Zachariah didn't come to me as a leader. I saw him one day. On the street. He looked sad." She pats Veronica's hand. "I wanted to alleviate that sadness."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Veronica stares at her. "You're a better woman than me. I threatened to hurt him. Yet... I didn't want to."

  Greene rocks in the recliner. "He has that effect on people. Never really know what he'll do, but you can't stop watching. Is it an act? Desperation? Hopelessness?"

  Veronica smiles. "I think he pretends like nothing happened to protect himself from the truth."

  Theresa sits back. "I think you're right. He's too critical! It makes him blind to what's important."

  Veronica swallows. "What's that?"

  Theresa smiles at Greene. "Family."

  Veronica glances between them and bows her head.

  Agnus carries the child into the main room. "Zachariah is near."

  The door opens.

  I step inside. Veronica is sitting with Theresa. What are they... Those tears? Theresa launches into me. She shivers. I rub her back.

  Veronica wipes her eyes. "You're back. Good. You're all here." She stands. "Time to talk."

  Chuboki and his squad gather around her. Veronica straightens up. "I came here to apologize."

  Vendetta growls. "Save it! We know who you are!"

  Veronica tilts her head. "You sure?"

  Chuboki clutches his axe. "We know you're one of Nebula's agents."

  Theresa hides behind me. Greene goes to Michael. Agnus takes Nathaniel away.

  Veronica places a hand on her hip. "So you know my boss... Saves me the trouble of explaining that!" She looks at me. "I came here to warn you."

  I keep Theresa still. "About what?"

  Veronica grins. "You don't know?" She glances between us. "The Axeheads... They're here in town... We've been waiting for you to awaken."

  I clench my fists. "And?"

  Veronica snickers. "We know you're not going to give up without a fight, so to make things easy on everyone... I surrender."

  We look at each other. Chuboki shakes his head. Ava and Sian nod. Zanir readies his sword. Asuna grips her tablet.

  I approach her. "Why?"

  Veronica raises her hands. "I have nothing to hide and while Nebula has me under an irreversible spell..." She taps her temple. "Her way of doing things will destroy the world."

  Chuboki gulps. "How can we trust what you're saying?"

  Veronica glares at him. "Because I..." Her eyes drop to the necklace and she sways. "You have it?" She points. "Do you know what that is?"

  He shakes his head.

  Veronica scoffs. "It's a waypoint. You use it to locate people." She raises a brow. "And if you're Nebula, then you'd be looking for someone important!"

  My eyes grow. "Theodore!"

  They turn to me.

  Veronica nods. "So you know?" She chuckles. "Guess you didn't need me after all." She sighs. "But there is the matter of the child."

  I glance at Chuboki. He shrugs. I stare at her. "What about him?"

  Veronica tilts her head. "You don't know? He's here to distract you."

  I step closer. "How do you know all this?"

  Veronica snickers. "I'm her only friend."

  My hands shake. "What?" Why did she say it like that? Like the woman in my head?

  Veronica crosses her arms. "Nebula isn't the warmest. Shit, she's not even likable! But I've spent years gaining her trust."

  I step back. "I don't believe you."

  Veronica rolls her head. "Come on, Zachariah. Don't you see why she does all this? Erasing the Wyre... Targeting people you love... It's because you took someone she loved!"

  But I... "I didn't take him!"

  Veronica huffs. "Listen, I didn't come here to dredge up the past! I came here as a friend. Like it or not, Nebula isn't going to stop at your little mole rat. She wants everything you have!"

  I breathe through my teeth. "For revenge?"

  Veronica chokes. "You don't... You don't remember the deal you made with her?"

  Everyone steps back from me.

  Theresa squeaks. "What deal?"

  I... I don't... I wouldn't... Not if it meant...

  Veronica laughs. "The deal was you give her everything you own in exchange for immortality."

  What?

  Veronica shifts her weight. "You didn't think Nebula had it out for you because you took her little flake of land away... Did you?"

  I... I don't...

  She cackles. "That's hilarious! You don't even remember what you made the deal for!" She drops to her knees and holds her stomach. "She was so clueless! You came to her seeking eternal life! She didn't realize you had beat her to the punch!"

  I stomp. "But Theodore—"

  Veronica grips her sides. "HE WAS IN ON IT THE WHOLE TIME! BAAAA-HAHAHAHAHA! YOU TWO PULLED ONE OVER ON HER!"

  I snarl. "Where is he?"

  Veronica catches her breath. "Him? Teehee... Maybe that amulet will show you! Oh! Oh-AHAH!" She covers her mouth. "I'm sorry... It's not funny! It's actually really sad! And pathetic! Eee-AHAHAAA! I'M GONNA PEE!"

  Chuboki yanks off the amulet and shoves it into my chest. He glares down at me. "She's all yours!" He marches out the door. His squad shuffles behind him.

  Theresa trembles. I look at her. She shakes her head. "Whatever you did..." She hugs me. "I forgive you!"

  That's the thing... I don't think I made a deal like that... Why would I? What would push me towards—

  Veronica groans. "Oh man! Your troops can't even stand beside you! Nebula's always had you cornered and now you see it, right?" She giggles. "The best part is... You built yourself a way out."

  I clutch the amulet. "With this?"

  She nods. "Nebula wanted to use it to find Theodore." She settles. "She thinks you were the mastermind behind his disappearance. Another thing Sylvan got wrong!"

  Sylvan? Why does that name sound familiar? I smile at Theresa and squat in front of Veronica. "Why tell me this? What's in it for you?"

  Veronica shrugs. "Theodore and I go way back! I used to lead his armies—and trust me—they were more powerful than anything you can muster!"

  I hold the amulet up. "How do I use it? Someone else is already inside!"

  Veronica snorts. "The amulet brings you to what you need." She leans in. "Put it on and find out!"

  I shake my head. "I don't trust you!"

  Theresa touches my shoulder. "What should we do?"

  Veronica tilts her head. "I mean what I said. I surrender. Use me for information. Don't you want to know Nebula's plan? I can tell you. Wanna know who you really are? I can help you remember."

  No... She's lying... Nebula sent her here to confuse me...

  Veronica pouts. "Don't be like that! You're making me sad. I came all this way to warn you and Nebula won't take me back now."

  It feels like she's telling the truth. Her mind is steady. Clear. Not a stray thought. No ulterior motives. She reads sincere, but... I can't tell.

  Why betray Nebula? Is it because of Theodore?

  Nebula taps her temple, then writes on a page. "So that's how you'll frame it?" She snickers. "Poor Zachariah... Never can catch a break!" Her pen swerves over the page. "And here I thought I could be cruel... V, you're horrible!"

  A knock at her door. Nebula grins. "Come in."

  A small man enters the room. His yellow hair shimmers in the light from her fireplace. A black bar over his eyes. He bows. "Veronica is making contact."

  Nebula snickers. "I know, Leon." She rolls her pen between her fingers. "Tell Byrd to target Veronica. The rest of you have at the others!"

  Leon kneels. "I mean no disrespect, but isn't Byrd supposed to go after the others and we face Zachariah?"

  Nebula hums. "Change of plans... Veronica told a compelling lie and for Zachariah to fully trust her—we need to make it seem like she's no longer one of us."

  Leon gulps. "Your majesty, I advise against this. Byrd won't survive a battle with Veronica."

  Nebula sets her pen down and approaches him. "Veronica won't go all out with Zachariah watching. She needs to maintain the element of surprise. As for the rest of you, killing his friends should be fun. Don't you agree?"

  Leon nods. "Yes, your majesty."

  She waves him away. "Quickly now!"

  He leaves.

  Nebula holds her head and laughs. "V, you rascal!" She leans against her desk. "You don't think I'll let you go with him, do you?" She spins. "I couldn't have planned it better myself! Gaining his trust by telling him the truth? You're pure evil!"

  She cackles, then her eyes lock on the painting above her fireplace and she chokes. "I'm sorry, Kaiden." She rubs her throat. "I shouldn't relish in this. After all these years, I'm so close to finding him!" She drops to her knees. "Please understand! I'm doing this for us! For you!"

  Brimstone stands beside her. "Hey..." She rubs her shoulder. "I knocked, but you didn't respond."

  Nebula drops her head. "What is it?"

  Brimstone clears her throat. "Our search for the amulet was unsuccessful. The one called Domino snuck off with it. I'm sorry."

  Nebula giggles. "All's not lost, Brim." She rises. "Veronica is planting seeds of doubt. He'll use the amulet to find Theodore." She turns. "Your role is to give him a little push."

  Brimstone raises a brow. "Kill his friends? Think he won't retaliate?"

  Nebula shrugs. "I know he won't." She returns to her desk. "He can't!" She picks up her pen. "The binding is working as suspected."

  Brimstone glances at the painting. "You knew he'd do it?"

  She nods.

  Brimstone hums. "In all the years I knew Theodore, he would have never agreed to something so reckless. Are you sure he knew what Zachariah's plan was? No one else did."

  Nebula looks up. "Oh, he knew all right! Veronica seems to have been the brains behind his decision, but you knew that too. Didn't you?"

  Brimstone shakes her head. "I... I didn't—"

  Nebula slaps her desk. "Don't lie! Veronica was closer to Theodore than any of us. She whispered ideas into his head until one stuck. I was a means of getting what he wanted."

  Brimstone swallows. "What did he want?"

  Nebula purses her lips. "Zachariah to live."