The flight back to New York City is a pretty quiet one. We both have a lot on our minds. In addition to the heated exchange that took place between Pryor and me, I’m consumed by my anger with the board.

I mean really, how asinine is it to consider taking away Pryor’s powers with Malakaro out there? The stupidity of angels with influence never ceases to amaze me. Honestly, it’s like they look for ways to make things worse. I’m so sick of their games.

When Pryor and I land, we head straight for The Face’s office. After the team greets their leader, we all sit down to hear what I’m sure will be grade ‘A’ bullshit.

“First let me say that I’m truly sorry for what happened with Sam. He was a very talented Noru,” The Face says sincerely.

“He was a kid. And he died because I left him with your angels. You said they could protect him,” Pryor snaps. 

“The Kasters have proven to be far more powerful than at first we realized,” Face says sadly.

“That’s all good and well but it won’t bring my brother back. And now you want to take my powers away,” the First Noru says, clearly pissed.

“I don’t agree with the board. While I do not condone your behavior, I certainly understand how grief can be the catalyst for violence.”

“But they’re still considering taking Pry’s powers away?” Swoop asks.

“Yes. They will be gathering to discuss the issue tomorrow morning.”

“Can we at least speak on her behalf?” Key asks.

“I’m sorry. It’s a closed meeting,” The Face replies.

“This is so messed up!” Randy says.

“There has to be something we can do,” I plead.

“I’m sorry. It looks like your team will just have to wait and see how things play out,” The Face says with a grave expression.

“We’re just supposed to sit here and wait to see if our leader loses her powers?” Bex says.

“What about Malakaro? Taking Pryor’s powers away will make her a sitting duck,” Randy argues.

“The human is right. This is a really bad move to make,” I add.

“Mr. Case, language,” she scolds.

“Seriously, lady?” I bark.

“I find no joy in this matter. Again, I would not like to see Pryor’s powers taken from her. However, humans were hurt and I have no say in the matter. We just have to wait until the morning.”

We told her she could skip school and go home or even fly to the other side of the world, but she declined. Instead she opts to go to class. It’s around third period when I head down the hallway and see Bex standing over by the lockers talking to her.

I know she’ll kill me, but I move in closer to hear what’s being said. I know it’s a scummy thing to do, it’s just I really freaking want her. I want her in my arms and in my life. And just watching her talk to another guy is driving me nuts.

“You really don’t have to go to class if you don’t want to,” Bex offers.

“It’s okay. This way I can pretend to be human. That way my only problem is exams and guys,” she says.

“I never got to say how sorry I am for what happened with Sam.”

“I know. You don’t need to say anything,” she assures him.

“Were you going stir crazy at the cabin with Silver? Did he get on your last nerves or did you get on his?” Bex inquires.

Nosy bastard.

“Well...we didn’t really talk all that much. I Recharged a lot so...” she replies.

“Oh, yeah. That makes sense. Anyway, I thought you might like to have this,” Bex says as he takes a small black velvet pouch from his back pocket and places it in the palm of her hand.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she says.

“It’s nothing. Just something that may help when you’re feeling down or whatever,” he says awkwardly.

She opens the pouch and a crystal pendant falls out. It’s carved in the shape of the Alexi bird and has blue stones for eyes. I’m sure it’s made of real gems. Damn him.

“It’s gorgeous,” she says as she studies it.

“Alexis are beyond persistent. They simply don’t give up. You remind me of them. You share the same spirit. I want you to remember how strong you are when things look bleak,” Bex tells her.

Yeah, it’s official: I really hate this guy.

However, I can’t lie. The pendant really is very striking. Pryor closes her hand around it and hugs him. I look away.

Later when school is over, I try and get some time with her. But that’s made impossible by the twins. Swoop insists that Pry go shopping with them to take her mind off the meeting in the morning. When I ask how buying clothes can possibly help the situation, all three of them look at me as if I have snakes crawling out of my eyes.

I wait until nightfall to try and talk to Pryor, but everyone’s home, making it difficult to get her alone. When I go to knock on her door, I overhear her and Key talking inside.

“Key, it’s okay,” Pryor says.

“No, it’s not. I let Silver get to me. I know he can be a prick when he wants to be. I’m sure he was just saying that thing about Bex and you to piss Bex off. I never should have threatened to leave the team. It was stupid. I don’t want to leave. I love you guys,” Key replies.

“Even Silver?” Pryor asks.

“Yeah, but don’t tell him,” she says.

“So what happened? Why did you get so...crazy about a comment that you knew was a lie?” Pryor asks the oldest twin.

“Pry, Bex and I have been together for so long, I can’t see my life without him. And when I think about losing him...he’s my anchor. He always keeps me grounded. And that’s hard to do with everything that’s going on. I know Bex acts all tough but he’s the first to make a silly face or crash land somewhere crazy if that’s what it takes to cheer me up. I love him,” she explains.

“Keyohmi, remember when you thought your future was in hair styling and you created a mixture that was supposed to give Bex an instant perfect haircut?” Pryor asks. 

“Yeah,” she says, already laughing at what Pryor’s about to say.

“And what happened, Key?”

“The mixture gave him a rattail haircut—made out of a real rat,” she says, unable to stop herself from laughing.

“Yes! And not only did he pretend to love it, he wore the rat on his head for a month until the mixture wore off. That’s real love,” Pryor says.

The two continue to share a laugh. I decide it’s a bad time to talk to Pryor and head downstairs to the kitchen to see if there is any Coy in the house. As soon as I enter, I find the human sitting at the table.

“So...you’re Aaden,” he says, putting on his best menacing face.

“You’re just now catching up?” I ask Randy.

“No, I just wanted to watch you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says.

“Well I’ve heard nothing about you and I’m good with that,” I admit.

“Here’s the deal, Silver, platinum, aluminum, or whatever your name is—Pryor is not just my friend. She’s my best friend. Now she may have a thing for ‘dark and handsome’ but I won’t allow you to hurt her,” he warns me.

I walk over and stand right in his face. I am towering over him. Randy isn’t even the size of one of my wings. He looks up at me and swallows hard. I can see his lips quiver slightly.

“If I hurt her, what the hell would you do about it?” I counter.

“You hurt Pryor and I’ll rip your damn face off,” he says. 

I look down at him. What he’s lacking in size, he makes up for in sincerity.

“Fair enough, human,” I reply as I back off.

I can see why Pryor wants to save this guy. Randy doesn’t have any strength to speak of but stepping up to me on behalf of his best friend shows character. That always counts with me.

“Guys, get up here!” Pryor shouts down to us.

Randy and I exchange a look of concern and run up the stairs to Pryor’s room. The rest of the team is already gathered.

“What’s wrong?” East asks.

“The Face just called me. They are letting me keep my powers,” Pryor says in disbelief.

“What? But they haven’t even had the meeting yet,” Swoop says.

“They didn’t need to. A Kaster killed one of the board members tonight. He was a very powerful Para. They figured if a Para couldn’t fight a Kaster, we’d have no chance at all. Especially if they took my powers away.” 

“The geniuses just now figured that out?” I rant.

“Guys, I get to keep my powers,” Pryor says, smiling for the first time since we’ve been back.

“Actually, it’s more than that. Check this out,” Swoop says, handing Pryor the cell phone.

“What is it?’ I ask.

“According to the text The Face just received, the board member was attacked near the Taj Mahal, in India. The Kaster might still be there. I think we should check it out,” Pry informs us.

“Let’s go!” Swoop says.

Then Pryor looks over at Randy and her face fills with concern.

“Randy, we haven’t forgotten you. We’ll get Oden. I just want Harm to pay for what he did to Sam. I really—”

“Pry, making Harm answer for what he did to your little brother is top priority for all of us. Oden can wait,” Randy assures her.

“Thank you,” she says, embracing him.

“So we’re all going on a mission to kill Harm?” East says.

“Yes,” Key replies.

“And you know we will get in trouble for this, right?” East asks.

We all say, “Yes.”

“Okay, just checking, let’s go!” East says, leading the charge.

We land in India a short while later. The air is thick with heat and the clay colored earth surrounds us. The Taj Mahal is one of the places I’ve always wanted to go. Although hunting down Kasters wasn’t part of my plan.

The white marble museum has an extensive collection of calligraphy on the outside panels and impressive dome-shaped ceilings. In the center of the courtyard, there’s a reflecting pool lined with a series of well-manicured shrubs. There are columns throughout the massive structure that make it feel as if Omnis himself lives inside.

“You guys see anything yet?” Pryor asks.

“Nope,” Swoop says.

“Maybe we missed them,” East suggests.

“We have to keep looking. This is the only lead we have on Harm. I have to find him. I have to,” Pryor vows.

“We have to. We’re a team, remember?” Bex says.

She doesn’t reply, instead she just keeps surveying the area.

“Is she going to be okay?” East asks.

“This is personal for her. She’s not going to stop until she finds Harm,” Key tells us.

“Yeah, but she needs to let us help her,” East adds.

“We will. We just need to keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn’t do anything crazy,” Bex adds.

“Have you ever met Pryor’s mother?” Swoop asks.

“Crazy is a family trait,” Key agrees.

“Damn it!” Pryor shouts from several feet away.

“What is it?” I ask.

“The Face got another text. They want her to inform us of the news in the morning.”

“Pryor, what news?” Randy says.

She looks over at him sadly.

“What?” the human pushes.

“There was a fight with some demons over territory. Oden got hit with a Powerball. He’s dead.”

“Wait, what does that mean?” Randy asks.

“It means we have no way to take you off of Death’s list now,” she replies.

The human hangs his head in despair. Pryor is about to walk over to Randy and reassure him but she never makes it there.