Valeries gut twisted. They already had a way to return to Earth, with whatever magic they took from Darling.

I know its suspicious, but these bad guys could have used regular human weapons. Lets not jump to conclusions, Henry said.

It was one man, Dulcea said. Tell me how one man could take out eleven guards and disable every electronic device in a one mile radius in minutes without using magic.

Henry shook his head, her eyes filling with terror. The attackerdid he kill the family, too?

Dulcea shook her head. No, they were released. But we have no idea what the senator gave the Fractus to save the lives of his family.

Its all happening so fast, Valerie said, her head in her hands.

Faster than you can imagine, Dulcea said. Two other apprentices had similar stories. All imaginary friends to kids with powerful parents.

What does Rastelli say? Does he have any ideas about what can be done? Valerie asked.

Dulceas face darkened. Valerie had never seen her truly enraged before. Thats the worst part. Amy went straight to Rastelli along with the other apprentices whose friends had been attacked. And he told them to say nothing to anyone. That it was all a misunderstanding, not the Fractus at all. But that didnt seem right to Amy, which is why she came to me.

What could make him say such a thing? Henry asked, horrified.

Theres only one reason that I can think of. He must be the spy, Dulcea said. Maybe hes Reaper himself.

Valeries gut said that wasnt the case, though she didnt have any concrete reasons why. The person who murdered Jet had been cut from a different cloth than Rastelli.

It doesnt matter. We have to get to Midnight. Its too late for the Excision now. Magic and evil have already invaded Earth. If we shut down the connection now, the humans will be defenseless against the Fractus who are already there, Valerie said, already pulling on her jeans.

What can I do to help? Dulcea asked.

Recruit as many Conjurors from the Society of Imaginary Friends as you can, but only people you can really trust. Its up to you to make sure Rastelli doesnt slip away before we can question him, Valerie said. Henry, get Kanti and Cy and meet me at the Justice Guild.

Valerie sprinted down the streets of Silva and across The Horseshoe. She was heading toward the Justice Guild, forming her case for the Council in her mind. There was no way they could refuse her now.

She was so deep in thought, she didnt realize that her feet had taken her to the Guardians of the Boundary Guild instead. But for some reason, she didnt immediately change her course. She couldnt shake the feeling that there was something she was missing, and whatever it was wouldnt be found inside the Justice building.

She wrenched open the doors to the Guardians Guild. It was silent inside. Where was everyone? There should be a few people around, especially given what an important ritual was supposed to happen that day.

Valerie walked up the staircase to Midnights office, and she saw a blue glow shining in the cracks of the door. The hum of magic hit her in the chest like a hundred-pound weight, and with it came a terrible dread. That was when she heard the scream, a scream that burned a neural pathway in her mind that she didnt think shed ever be able to erase.

It was no time to knock. Valerie didnt know where it came from, but a pulse of magic flared in her, a flame compared to the usual fire of her power, but it was enough to let her to kick the door down.

She couldnt make sense of the sight before her eyes. Midnight was suspended in the air, her head thrown back in agony. The only thing that told Valerie it was Midnight was her shock of purple hair, because her face was almost unrecognizable. She was missing an eye and her nose, and before Valeries eyes, she saw her hand dissolving, finger by finger, as Midnight screamed.

Tell him and it will be over, Oleander said. She was standing beneath her, and every time Midnight screamed, a little smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She was enjoying the show.

Valerie tackled Oleander to the ground, propelled by pure fury. Even without her magic, she was more than a match for the blonde Guardian. Valerie straddled her chest and hit her in the face with all of her strength. Oleander groaned and weakly tried to wriggle away. She got one hand loose and raked Valeries face with her fingernails.

Thats enough. Youre not animals, Reapers voice cut through Valeries mind like a blade. She reached for Pathos and remembered that she hadnt strapped it on before she had rushed out of her room.

He stepped out of a shadowy corner and waved his hand. Instantly, an invisible force pushed Valerie and Oleander to opposite sides of the room, pinned against the wall.

He stepped into the light, and for the first time, Valerie saw his face. Chern examined her. N-n-not who you were expecting? he asked, in an exaggerated imitation of himself.

Valerie knew she should be shocked, but the realization that Chern was Reaper and the spy made perfect sense. The only jolt was that she hadnt seen it sooner"his over-the-top clumsy antics, the way he wormed his way into so many important moments, and the creepy vibe she always got when he was around.

She should have known when Darling went missing"after all, hadnt Chern taken a strand of Darlings fur when he had cured Emin? He must have been testing it then. Her stomach dropped with guilt as she realized that she had been the one to call for Darlings help that day. Shed led him into the lions den.

Shes speechless. How refreshing, Oleander said.

Chern glared at her, and she shut her mouth. Then he turned to Valerie. I didnt want you to find out this way, but I always intended to tell you the truth. I think we can be powerful allies.

Valerie did something she had never thought she would do in her life. She spat at Chern. It didnt touch him, but his lip curled in disgust.

Sometimes, I forget you were raised on the streets. Youll need to overcome those trashy habits if you want to work with me, he said coldly.

That will never happen, Valerie replied. She struggled against whatever force he was using to pin her to the wall, her eyes glued to Midnight, who was breathing shallowly. I could never torture and kill good people for whatever selfish reasons you have.

Thats what you think? That I have some vendetta, perhaps? Or I am mad with power to rule the world, maybe. But you couldnt be more wrong. You and I are alike"we want to help people and make Earth the best, safest place it can be. The only difference is that I am willing to do what it takes to make that a reality. You, on the other hand, try to save every life at the expense of the greater purpose.

Valerie met his eyes and let her rage strengthen her purpose. You think there is ever anything that can justify what youre doing to Midnight? Or what you did to Jet and Darling? Or the people on Earth that youve killed already? Ive heard about the Fractuss attacks on innocent people.

If Chern was surprised, he quickly hid it. Every death, every bit of pain, serves a greater purpose. We have to save the humans from themselves. Left to their own devices, they will never find a way to stop killing each other. Given enough time, they might even blow up their own planet, which is our rightful home, too. Stripping Earth of its magic has kept it in the dark ages. Humans need our guidance and rules so that they can progress past violence and live in peace.

Let me guesstheyd also be serving you.

No! Chern said, taking a step forward, his fists clenched with frustration. This isnt about my ego. This is about creating a better world. Yes, humans must be controlled, but they will also be taken care of. Would you let a toddler run the world? We must be their parents and guide them to the right path.

From what Ive seen of Conjurors and the Fractus, theyre no better than humans in any way except, of course, when it comes to wielding magic. Ive seen you bring about just as much death and destruction as any dictator on Earth.

We will have to tear the world down in order to rebuild. The humans will not comply willingly at first, but eventually, they will thank me"us. If you knew history the way I do, you would see all of the times when magic could have prevented slaughter and destruction. We robbed Earth by leaving it. And we robbed ourselves. It is our home, and we will never be whole as long as we are away from it, Chern said. Then he whispered, I will never be whole.

Valerie slowly shook her head. His fervor was written all over his face"next to his madness. He was blind to his own evil, and she would never convince him he was wrong. Shed have to appeal to what he thought was his better nature if she was going to get Midnight out of there alive. If youre truly trying to do whats right, then prove it. Let me go, and release Midnight to my care. This torture doesnt serve your purpose.

Of course it does! he shouted, righteous indignation making his eyes blaze. I do not torture her for my pleasure. She has information that she refuses to give me. Once she tells me what I need to know, I will let her die.

No, Valerie breathed, her heart beating faster.

Chern shook his head, disappointed in her. I know she is your friend. But you must see, she has too much power to live. She is the only one who can put up a barrier between Earth and the Globe for good, and that can never happen. If she wasnt so selfish, she would have killed herself already to prevent the Excision. Its what I would have done in her place.

If you let her goIll come with you, Valerie said. The thought of returning to the Black Castle made her want to choke, but she couldnt let another life slip through her fingers.

Youll come with me anyway, if you know whats good for you. Maybe you dont agree with my methods, but I am inevitable. I have allies in every country, every Guild, and even every continent on Earth. No matter what happens today, whether or not Midnight tells me what I need to know, the dominoes I have spent centuries putting in place are starting to fall.

Please, as a show of good faith, she said, hating that she was begging this horrible man.

Valerie, no, Midnight choked out. Dont degrade yourself for this filth. Carry on where Aurora and I failed, and find a way to end the Fractus at last.

Maybe you should tell them what they want to know. Please, you cant die, Valerie said, hating how childish her voice sounded.

I love you, child. Henry, too, Midnight said. Then her voice hardened. But I never make deals with murderers.

Chern ground his teeth and turned to Midnight. Enough. Ill find what I want without your help.

He waved his hand, and Midnight dissolved before Valeries eyes, turning to dust.

Valerie couldnt stop the scream that left her, no matter how gratifying it must have been for Chern and Oleander to hear. She turned her eyes back to Chern.

I will never help you. Today you have made sure that I will spend every last breath trying to defeat you, she said, and her eyes were bone dry, as if the horror of what shed seen had evaporated her tears.

Are you so sure? Chern had a smug tilt to his head, like he was pulling out his ace card. What if I could tell you who your parents are?

It wouldnt matter, Valerie said. You underestimate how much I value my soul if you think Id sell it so cheaply.

For the first time, Chern looked unsure. Youve always yearned for a family"Ive watched you and Henry your entire lives. I can give you the knowledge youve always wanted. And your father lives. He spoke his last sentence triumphantly.

I know that. An Oracle told me months ago. It doesnt change anything.

Cherns face darkened with rage, and the air around him began to crackle with electricity. Then youre of no use to me.

Valerie shut her eyes. She didnt want his face to be the last thing she saw. She waited to dissolve into darkness, but the pain didnt come.

What is he doing here? Oleander asked, and Valeries eyes opened.

At the doorway, Oberon glowered at Chern. Get the hell away from my daughter.

Chapter 42.

Valeries mind went blank at Oberons words. When she had realized that Chern was Reaper, it all made sense. But thisshe never imagined the gruff, wild man she had spied on was her father. Even in the middle of the chaos, pride and joy flashed through her that she was his daughter, and that he was alive. He had somehow survived Chern in the Black Castle, and maybe now hed save them both.

Chern turned his focus to Oberon, and the hum of his magic rattled in Valeries bones. She had just found her father, and already she was terrified that Chern would make her watch him die.

Oberon didnt wait for Chern to make the first move. Instead, his hands sparked, and he threw two giant bolts of lightning simultaneously. One hit Oleander in the chest, and she fell to the ground, unconscious or dead. The second bolt evaporated before it reached Chern, but Valerie could see that he was red in the face from the effort.

The force pinning Valerie to the wall was released, and she dropped to the ground.

Run, Oberon commanded, not breaking eye contact with Chern.

Eye contactwasnt he blind? If he had been, he was no longer.

I wont leave you, she said. Theres no way Im going to find you and lose you in the same hour.

His eyes met hers, and she saw pride in them. But that moment was a mistake. The air around Chern crackled, and Oberon dropped to his knees.

Valerie had never missed her sword more. She swore to herself that if she lived through this, she would sleep with it strapped to her side. She had nothing but her fists to fight with.

They would have to be enough, she decided, and ran to Chern to tackle him the way she had Oleander. She had the element of surprise, because his eyes were locked on Oberons.

When Valerie hit him, it was like running into a wall. An electrically charged wall. Pain shot through her weakened body, and she dropped to the ground.

For all he had told her about nobly fighting to save humanity, Chern wasnt above kicking her while she was down. His boot connected with her head, and she barely held on to her consciousness.

But seeing his daughter down seemed to give her father a burst of power, because Oberon stood. Lightning burst from his hands, and she heard a distant rumble of thunder. This time, Chern ducked to avoid the blast, but it singed his robe.

He snarled, and Oberon made a low sound of pain. Through her barely-open eyes, Valerie saw that his hand appeared blurry, as if it was beginning to dissolve, the way that she had seen Chern do to Midnight.

But Oberon seemed to fling off the attack. The room shuddered, and water began leaking in through tiny cracks in the walls.

Ill fill this room with water in less than a minute, and then Ill electrocute you, Oberon said, his voice low with malice.

That wont kill me, Chern said, his face an ugly red.

I know. But it will incapacitate you temporarily, and others are right behind me. Are you so sure you can kill us all?

Chern snarled, but he quickly created a window to the Black Castle. He yanked Oleander with him as he passed through, and it winked shut behind him.

Oberon rushed to Valeries side. He cradled her in his arms. Daughter, you are protected now, and always. This I swear.

She let herself black out, knowing she was safer than shed ever been in her entire life.

When Valerie opened her eyes, she was in a room she had never seen before. It was small, with mint green walls. She was in a bed with a white headboard, and beneath her fingers was a quilt covered in pictures and symbols.

She slowly sat up. Sunshine poured through an open window, along with a breeze that smelled like flowers. Even though she had no idea where she was, she wasnt afraid. Grief for everyone shed lost"Zaki, Jet, and especially Midnight"was still lodged inside her heart. It was like trying to breathe through a tiny straw.

But beneath the pain was the knowledge that she could finally open her box of grief and guilt, and deal with it. Because now that she had her father to protect her, she was safe. Was this what life was like every day for kids with parents?

Valerie shuffled out of the room and down a hallway with a door at the end. She opened it to see the most beautiful garden she had ever laid eyes on, with blooms in color combinations she didnt think were possible.

There was a low hum of power emanating from Oberon"Dad"as he pulled droplets of rain from a small cloud hovering over his head to water his flowers. He saw her, and smiled so widely that his face crinkled.

Youre awake. Henry and your friends left less than an hour ago. We didnt want to wake you. How are you? Oberon asked.

She shook her head and dodged his question, not wanting to spoil the mood with the truth. Where are we? I thought you lived in an apartment in a tree.

This is the house I lived in with your mother when you were born. After I thought I lost all of you, I couldnt bear to live here any longer. But now that my children have been returned to me, it seems right to come back.

That must be why this feels like home, Valerie said, as much to herself as to Oberon.

I know we have a lot to talk about, and I have so much to explain. But please believe that I didnt know you or your brother were alive until Sanguina told me. And even then, I was so broken and blind, I didnt think you would ever forgive me for the sins of my past.

She had never heard him speak so many words before. His voice had a slight accent, and everything he said sounded very formal. She loved it.

Theres nothing to forgive, she said simply. We can be a family now.