"No."

"I see," he says, trying to hide his face.

"We need to talk to you about our mission," Marcus says.

"Yeah, I'm sure you do, but I'm not interested. You need to go to another Seller."

"Why?" I ask.

"Why human? Because Tony-Tone is tired of being pushed aside. I send you emails, I call, and I text. Nothing. It's like we're not even friends."

"We are your friends, Tony," I insist.

"Yeah, that's what I thought, too. That's why I set up all your Facebook accounts. You guys can fly around the world, take on Rage, take on the Hun, but you can't respond to a friend request. Unbelievable."

"Look, Tony-"Marcus starts with a firm, no-nonsense voice. I signal for to him to remain calm. We need Tony to come with us. And yes, Marcus can force him, but it's much easier if Tony comes willingly. I think Marcus agrees because when he speaks next, his tone is much softer and controlled.

"We know that you've done a lot for us, Tony. We appreciate all of it."

"You should. I can't tell you how many Demons have come to me looking for a way to kill Emmy."

"You didn't sell them anything, did you?" I ask.

"No, but they can just go somewhere else. You're in real danger this time, no lie."

"That's why we came to see you."

"We need you to go somewhere with us," Ameana says.

"Me? You guys really want me to come along?" Tony says, flattered.

"Yeah."

"It is far away?"

"Well-"

"It's okay if it is. I have a killer road trip playlist. It's got all the greatest. If it's an overnight though, I'll need to go home and get a few things. Let's see...my silk eye mask, sound machine, lavender face scrub..."

"We're going to Pyron," Marcus informs him.

"The only thing in Pyron is-"

"Kairo."

"You want me to go with you to see Kairo?"

"Yes."

"Just because I can die and come back doesn't mean I want to die again. What if this is it for me? What if I've done too many bad things and my Cycle runs out?"

"We're not trying to get you killed"

"You know that guy doesn't just kill. No. No way, I'm not going. I like my limbs."

"Tony, we really need you to do this for us," I say to him.

"Sorry, no. I can't do it," he insists.

I am about to protest when Marcus signals for me to let it go. The team heads for the door but Marcus makes sure before we go, Tony-Tone overhears him: "It's better this way. We need a Seller who knows everything there is to know about items from Hun's market. That's not Tony."

Rio catches on and joins in the conversation.

"You're right. We should ask that other Seller guy."

"Yeah, what was his name? Something with a D? Don? Dan?" Miku asks.

Tony-Tone interrupts us.

"Dale? That weeping oil salesman doesn't know anything. He's only come back to life twice. He's a newbie. You need a Seller who's died many times. A Seller who's at the top of his profession."

"We'll manage. And when we come back having fought Kairo, everyone will want to know the story. We'll give Dale all the credit. Dale can have his picture be on the front page of every Splash."

"Front page?" Tony asks.

"Yeah, he'll be making history. The first Seller to ever to be part of an epic takedown."

I can practically hear the wheels turning in Tony's head.

"Look, I think I should go with you guys. I mean, I know how much the team depends on me," he says.

"You're the backbone of this whole this mission, Tony," I a.s.sure him.

"I know. It's a hard role to play, but what are you gonna do?" Tony says, shaking his head.

"So, you'll go with us?" I ask.

"Yeah, why not?"

"Good, bring any items you think might help us get to the castle at Pyron," Marcus instructs. "I'll text you where to meet us."

"Okay, but when we get back, if we get back-"

"We'll friend you," we all vow in unison.

When we head out of the shop, Marcus tells Ameana it's time to call Wolf and ask for his help. Ameana is showing an emotion I'm not used to seeing from her: nervousness. She shifts her weight, tugs on her earlobe, and fixes up her already perfect hair. Marcus makes her put it on speaker in case Wolf has questions for the team.

"Hey, it's Ameana," she says awkwardly.

"Guess my Karma's been good. Hey, Princess."

"Um... hi. I was wondering if you...well...we were wondering-"

"What is it?"

"I need your help. I know it's-"

"When?"

"What?"

"When do you need me?"

"Tonight."

"Done."

"Don't you want details?"

"You need my help. There's no other detail. See you soon."

Wolf ends the call. Ameana looks at us as if she's not sure what just happened.

"Um...I guess he's in," she says, trying to recover.

Marcus orders everyone to find a park or anywhere quiet and recharge before it's time to meet up and take off for Pyron.

"Hey, I'm gonna go home," I tell him.

"I'm coming with you."

"You're afraid something will happen to me?"

"That's one reason. The other one is I don't want you to be alone when you say goodbye to your mom."

I look at him, puzzled.

"Emmy, ever since your mom's death, you never open her bedroom door. You've made it into a shrine for her. Since we're going somewhere filled with danger, yet again, you fear you may not return. So, you want to go home and say 'goodbye.'"

"You think I'm crazy."

"Crazy looks good on you."

He takes me home. I walk into the kitchen and the same memory floods my mind. Only a few weeks ago, I came in here and found my mom's heart had been ripped out by Lucy. I fight back tears and avoid the spot where her body laid. Marcus stands behind me and wraps his hand around my waist.

"You okay?" he whispers in my ear.

"Yeah, the kitchen is always..."

"I know. You ever think about moving?"

"No, I can't leave her."

"I know the feeling."

I turn to face him.

"What about you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just grateful."

"For what?"

"I'm grateful the team is behind us. Grateful The Sage gave me the book of fairytales so I could read about Isis and Demetri. And I'm grateful you're in my arms. When we come back, we have to go put my Rah in the mountains."

"But I don't have a Rah to place alongside yours."

"Its okay, we'll put an item that really matters to you."

"Okay. The Sage, he said you had a question you wanted to ask me."

"Figures he'd bring it up."

"What is it?"

"I wanted to know if you ever felt...sorry that I entered your life."

"No."

"I mean-"

"I know what you mean. The answer is no. You asked me once before and the answer is the same."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," I repeat, leaning in for a soft, sweet kiss.

Then Ms. Charlotte slides between our feet and meows loudly.

"I see you, girl. Give me one minute." She meows as if to say, "Hurry up!"

"Can you feed her? I need to go into..."

"Sure."

He takes Ms. Charlotte into the kitchen.

I walk up to my mom's room, take a deep breath and open the door slowly.