I didn't turn around. Didn't look at his face. Didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing whatever expression my own face was making.
"Stay hidden. Stay safe. And next time you want to have a family reunion, maybe give me more than twelve hours notice."
I walked out into the morning light.
Maki stood beside the sedan, her tail swishing impatiently. "That took forever. Did the old man talk you to death?"
"Just gave me a lot to think about."
"Thinking is boring. Did he at least have snacks?"
"No snacks."
"Worst father ever."
I climbed into the driver's seat. The satchel sat heavy on my lap. The crystal pulsed with faint light against the leather.
Three days of isolation. Complete integration. Power beyond anything I'd achieved.
And all it would cost was becoming exactly what a cosmic horror designed me to be.
No pressure.
