Veronica laughs. "That ring doesn't do anything." She nods at Agnus. "You project your power outward." She looks at me. "The ring can amplify it."

  I turn the ring. "What do you mean by amplify?"

  Veronica locks her hands behind her head. "Pluto made that ring for his wife. After Pluto was killed, Theodore enchanted it to make him stronger."

  I shiver. "What kind of ability did Theodore have?"

  Veronica hums. "He had a knack for summoning and curses, but he couldn't use abilities like us."

  Agnus stares at the ring. "How did he cast?"

  Veronica smiles. "Theodore studied a lost art. He'd perform ancient rituals which surpassed any one of our abilities." She blinks. "Even Nebula's."

  I clutch the ring. "What happened to him?"

  She flinches.

  I lean in. "You know."

  Veronica swallows and drops her arms. "Nebula forced him... I was supposed to..." She huffs. "In those days, we lived in a highly sophisticated society where Nobility was incredibly rare. Theodore, Nebula, and myself come from the original clans. Unlike today, we weren't allowed to do as we please in the world. Our clans expected us to become a vessel for Noblekind."

  Agnus touches her chin. "A vessel?"

  I open my hand. The rings shimmers. It feels icy to the touch and reminds me of water.

  Veronica crosses her arms. "A vessel flows through each of us." She looks at me. "You know of the rankings?"

  I nod.

  Veronica smirks. "Those rankings come from the five vessels. Each serves Noblekind in some way. Shields being the lowest class were used as servants. Viscounts became soldiers. Generals led armies. Kings controlled the doctrines. Gods reigned over the world."

  I tilt my head. "Where does Nebula fall?"

  Veronica licks her lips. "Nebula? She's a God! Obviously."

  Theodore must have been a King. "If Theodore was as powerful as you say, then what happened to him?"

  Veronica winces and touches her temple. "He was ill. Very ill. Nebula being all-powerful wanted to help him, but he turned her away."

  Agnus scoots closer. "What about the others? The ones with the mark?"

  Veronica sighs. "They... We were..." She hugs her knees. "It doesn't matter anymore."

  I stare at her. "It does matter. If I'm going to stop Nebula, then I need to know how to weaken her."

  Veronica's lips twitch. "Her weakness is you."

  I shake my head. "How can that be? She toys with me!"

  Veronica snickers. "Don't be na?ve! Nebula believes you're powerless without your memories. Keeping you distracted buys her time. Plenty of which you don't have anymore."

  I squeeze the ring. Without my memories, I could still defeat her, but my ability is fading. The longer I remain bound to Nathaniel, the stronger Nebula grows. She put me in checkmate. If I break the binding, Nathaniel consumes the world. If I don't, Nebula does.

  Agnus touches my shoulder. "Zachariah?"

  I growl. "You're a General, right? What do you suggest I do?"

  Veronica laughs. "I've been waiting for you to ask." She stretches. "Truth is...the way forward is to withdraw." She points at the seal on my hand. "Until the infant can control his abilities, you cannot face her."

  I gulp. "You know what I did?"

  Veronica raises a brow. "You and Nebula are the same. You realize that, don't you? The deals we made with her bound our souls together. They cannot be broken unless..." She bites her lip.

  Agnus and I lean in.

  Veronica taps her temple. "You die."

  What does that mean? If I die, then Nebula can't help Theodore and she'll be immortal again. Neither of those outcomes benefit her now. That's why I'm still alive.

  I set the ring down. "How does that affect you? Your deal is separate from mine."

  Veronica purses her lips. "Think so?" She flicks a flame to the end of her finger. "My deal with her was about you."

  Me?

  Agnus jumps. "You made a deal on Theodore's behalf!"

  Veronica jolts and the flame distinguishes. "Quite perceptive, healer. Theodore knew you'd take the deal with Nebula, but it wouldn't be enough to stop her. Before he disappeared, he asked me to help you. And I did! Nebula turned me into an Axehead. You walked free."

  I know I can't read her mind, but she's hiding something. Something crucial about Theodore and me. We were more than friends. Maybe not the same person. What if I made a deal with Theodore?

  Veronica sorts her loot. "You asked me if you are Theodore." She raises a knife. "Only he knows." She sets it down. "You resemble him. Your face. Your personality. It has Theodore written all over it!"

  Agnus bows her head. "We should flee. All of us. Teach the child to master his power. Nebula will have to wait."

  I hum. "If we go, then Nebula will follow or continue with her research."

  Veronica giggles. "I have a feeling her research is at its end!" She picks up a ring. "The mole rat is her final project. You won't have to worry about anymore Axeheads appearing—just the 12 left!"

  If that's true... "She will begin turning Nobles into...humans."

  Agnus gasps. "Humans? How is that possible? She can't possibly—"

  Veronica tosses a ring at her. "It's possible!" She winks. "Your little friend, Tatiana? She built a machine that can disrupt cell division. Nebula should be drawing up plans to modify it and undo Nobility as we speak."

  My chest feels tight. Agnus holds the ring. Veronica hums and scans her collection.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  I huff. "We need to pack and move out."

  Veronica groans. "Now?" She rolls her eyes. "Let me trade some of this stuff in town before we go. Had my eye on a mask for a while. Be a shame not to get it."

  I stand. "Be quick!"

  Agnus and I leave the sunroom. Michael is standing in the dinning room. He's shaking. "Are we going to be safe?"

  I smile and pat his shoulder. "As long as I'm around."

  We go to my bedroom. Theresa is rocking in the chair with Nathaniel in her arms. Greene is standing next to her, pushing the chair.

  I gulp. "It's time to go. Get your things."

  Theresa whispers. "I just put him down for a nap."

  Greene looks at Michael. "I'll go get our clothes from the apartment. You stay put."

  Michael frowns. Agnus bumps his shoulder. "He'll be back in a few minutes."

  I go with Greene to their apartment. The man who attacked them tore their bedroom apart. I help gather photos and clothes. Greene stares at the aftermath.

  I turn. "You okay?"

  He jumps. "Yeah... Let's get out of here." He grabs his suitcase.

  We go back to my apartment and I pack. Agnus talks with Michael and Theresa. Greene sits on my bed looking lost. I know we didn't have time to say goodbye to our home. Maybe I'll escort them to wherever they want to go. It might be better for us to part ways...

  After all, I'm a walking target.

  Veronica trades a jewel for a beaded golden mask with a long narrow beak and a pointed crown. She puts it on and checks herself out in the mirror. The mask maker bows. "You look stunning, ma'am!"

  She snarks. "I know!" And tosses him a ring. "Consider that your tip!"

  Veronica struts down the street. Hips swaying. Head bobbing.

  Byrd flicks his light. "Nice mask, V." He blows smoke at her. "Suits a squawking bitch like you!"

  Veronica puts a hand on her hip. "What do you want Byrd?" She tilts her head. "Looking to die?"

  He chuckles and takes a drag from the stick. "Nebula asked me to come rough you up."

  She shrugs. "Get a few licks in, then beat it!"

  Byrd flicks his light. "That's the thing." 3 creatures surround her. "Nebula wants Zachariah to believe you betrayed us."

  Veronica glances at the creatures. Limbs sprout from their backs. Mouths cover their bodies. Eyes blink on their arms. 2 heads each.

  Veronica sighs. "You didn't really need backup, right? I mean... You are kinda, sorta strong—for a General."

  Byrd grunts. "Squawking bitch!" He flicks his cigarette bud at her. "Did you tell him about your past?"

  Veronica wipes the ash off her chest.

  Byrd chuckles. "How you served as a maid?"

  Veronica shrugs. "I was more than that."

  Byrd scoffs. "Don't start on that General bullshit again!" He stomps. "You're just a fancy Shield! A self-important servant!"

  Veronica sighs. "Come on, Birdie! Quit running your mouth."

  A creature chunks a rock at her. She smashes it with her heel. Another grabs her. She swings it into a building. The third one waits. Veronica stares into its eyes and freezes.

  Byrd snickers. "Silly little peasant!" He punches her. "Didn't your parents raise you right?"

  Veronica lays on the ground. Fingers twitching. Eyes stuck open.

  Byrd lifts his foot. "It's rude to look royalty in the eyes!" He stomps on her head.

  People run. Kaideses squats on a sign. Lukrimora sits on his shoulders.

  Byrd presses down. "Shouldn't feel too sore about it though. Your parents died before you could walk!" He laughs. "Suppose you best join them."

  Smoke pours from Byrd's mouth. Veronica chokes on the fumes. Byrd cackles and holds his lighter to her cheek. "See you later, instigator."

  Veronica's eyes glow. She grabs Byrd's wrist and twists. He falls beneath her. Veronica snatches his lighter and presses her foot on his neck. "I could tear you limb from limb." She throws the lighter away. "Nebula told you I'd hold back, but seeing your ugly face reminds me... Theodore never liked you." She yanks off his arm.

  Byrd screams. Blood squirts across Veronica's feet. He rolls on the ground.

  Veronica waves his arm and frowns. "You weren't even close to us." She cocks her head to the side. Her eyes lock onto the creatures. "Who's next?"

  The mouths on one creature stretch open. Long, barbed tongues reach out and slap Veronica. She glares at them, then marches forward.

  Another creature laughs. "Movement will make the poison spread quicker!" It darts around her.

  She charges ahead. A fireball blows through the chest of one. Its tongues drop, then it collapse.

  The second creature rushes her. "MANA!"

  Veronica grabs both of its heads and tears it down the middle. She flings the halves aside. The third creature slides beneath her and bites her ankle. Veronica hisses, then blows flames on its face. It shrieks and thrashes around. She giggles.

  Byrd rises. Hand clutching his shoulder. Blood spilling between fingers. He limps towards her. "I'll kill you for this! You hear me?"

  Veronica smiles. "Try not to bleed out first!"

  Byrd snarls. "Have you forgotten what I can do?" His severed arm wriggles on the ground. "Let's see how you handle 2 of me!"

  His blood crawls toward the arm. A second body forms. Byrd strains. A new arm pops out of his shoulder. He stumbles onto his hands and chokes.

  Veronica raises a brow. "Not used to a real fight, huh?" She takes a step and wobbles. Her vision blurs. "Shit!"

  The clone helps Byrd stand. They peer down at Veronica. "Wanna play tag? I'll give you a head start."

  Veronica grips her stomach. "Fuck you!"

  He kicks her through a building. She lays in a child's playroom. Byrd steps through the hole in the wall and blows smoke. Veronica stumbles to her feet and covers her nose. The building rattles. Byrd's clone bursts through the ceiling.

  Veronica trips backwards over a toy. The clone blows more smoke. Veronica scoots into a wall. Sparks crackle. Byrd's silhouettes flicker in the smog.

  Veronica clicks her tongue. "Have it your way, Birdie."

  I finish packing. Agnus holds her radio. I gulp. "Still nothing?"

  She shakes her head. "I'll keep trying."

  Why isn't Chuboki answering? He can't be that mad, right? It's not like I planned this.

  Theresa carries Nathaniel in her arms and hums. Michael sits on the sofa, bouncing his legs. Greene paces. "We need to leave!"

  I sigh and look out the window. Veronica should have been back by now. The building quakes. Screams come from all around.

  Greene holds Theresa. "Was that an explosion?"

  I bolt through the door, then lean over the railing. Smoke. Debris! I run back inside. A piece of a building smashes into ours.

  The floor is caving. I stare at Greene. He nods. Everything floats in the air. I propel myself with objects. We all hold hands. Greene takes us to the ground.

  I look at Agnus. "Get them out of town now!"

  Michael grabs my hand. "Wait!" He hugs me. "Don't go!"

  I squeeze him. "I won't be gone long." I step back and hold his shoulders. "Protect your mom and dad for me."

  Michael rubs his eyes. "Okay."

  Theresa shivers. "Please, come back."

  I smile. "Promise."

  Greene ushers them to follow Agnus. He stops to look at me. He opens his mouth, then freezes.

  I bow. "I'll be safe. Protect your fam—"

  He hugs me. Chest shuddering. Arms shaking. "You're our family, too." He kisses my head. "Go kick some Axe!"

  I chuckle and push him to the others.

  Voices howl through the smoke and flames. Feet patter on the ground. Hearts thud. Veronica jerks. Eyelids flutter. She breathes in ash. Hand reaching for a pocket. Bare skin beneath her palm.

  Byrd pushes his clone off. He blinks, then wipes blood from his ear. "Veronica!" He coughs. "VERONICA!"

  Veronica wipes her face. A silhouette approaches her. She clenches her jaw. Fire and lightning erupt from her fingertips.

  I step towards her. "Veronica?"

  She breathes through her teeth. "What are you doing here?"

  I shake my head. "Helping you."

  Veronica sneers. "You wanna die too?"

  I gulp. "Are they going to kill you?"

  Her head hangs. "What's it matter?"

  Another building collapses. I cover my face. Veronica growls. "LEAVE!"

  A man stands between us. He grins. "Hey there!" His purple eyes flicker.

  This is the man from the video.

  He lifts Veronica by the hair. She grabs his wrist. He punches her in the face. I tackle him. We roll. I'm stuck beneath him. He holds me down and breathes smoke into my face. It burns!

  Veronica puts him in a headlock. "I'll decapitate you, you son of a bitch!"

  I drive my fingers into his eye socket. He releases me and cries. Veronica continues strangling him.

  I pull her off. "Stop!"

  She glances between us. "What the hell?"

  I point. "If you want to join me, then protect my family."

  Veronica snarls. "This man—"

  "Will suffer." I stare. "Go!"

  She runs away.

  The man rises. A wide grin stretches over his face. I roll his eye between my fingers. He nods. "I'll be wanting that."

  I slurp his eye into my mouth and swallow. "Too bad."