Nate debated how much he should reveal about his plan. Lindy seemed to be truly on his side, but it was still hard to place full confidence in her. “We have a new strategy. We need to go after Uweya. I need to get there first. If I do, there are some things I might be able to do to stop Jonas.”

“What things?”

“I talked to William Graywater. He told me that I’d figure it out when I get there. He made it sound like this is basically our last chance.”

“We won’t be going in alone,” Lindy warned. “Jonas will be sending some of his people to secure Uweya. We’ll learn more in the morning. We’re supposed to be there early, like five-thirty. Tallah will refresh our powers. You need rest. You’re worn out. Just show up tomorrow. I’ll go convince Jonas that you’re with us.”

“I doubt he’ll believe you.”

“I’ll make him believe enough to let you come. I don’t think he trusts any of us. We’ll be chaperoned. Who knows what he might do to us with our simulacra? There might not be much we can do. But we’ll try. I should go.”

As she started toward the window, Nate gripped her upper arm. “Lindy, be careful.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Let me handle my brother. Get some sleep. We’ll both need to be at our best tomorrow.”

Lindy went and flew out the window. Nate closed it. He started pacing. Maybe it was good that Lindy had learned about her past. Or maybe the whole conversation had been an act. Maybe the trap was already closing in around him.

She had been right about one thing. He needed sleep. He could hardly think straight. He carefully set his alarm for five, then crawled into bed. His mattress and pillow had never felt more inviting. Before he could stress about anything else, he fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Gate

The approaching sunrise was beginning to bleach the horizon as Nate landed in a stumbling rush near a side door to Arcadeland. The jolt helped rouse him more than the flying had. He wiped sleep from his eyes as he knocked. Chris opened the door. He was dressed in the same clothes as yesterday.

“Hey,” Nate said. “Am I the last to arrive?”

“You could say that,” Chris replied. “Where’d you go last night? Jonas didn’t seem happy that you skipped coming back here.”

“I was freaked out,” Nate said, unsure who else might be listening to his response. “I mean, we almost drowned Roman. I needed some time to get my head right. But now I’m good. I’m ready.”

Nate stepped through the door. Chris leaned close. “Can you believe we’re going after Uweya so soon?”

Nate kept his voice low. “Yep. It leaves nobody time to react. Pretty smart.” Nate stopped whispering. “Did you sleep here?”

“It was late,” Chris said, as if making an excuse for a misdeed. “We were exhausted. Mr. White thought it would be better than to have us go home only to come back so early.”

They were walking toward an EMPLOYEES ONLY door. Cleon stood beside it. He gave a casual, two-fingered salute. He wore tinted sunglasses and had a toothpick between his lips. Nate waved.

“Long night?” Cleon asked.

“Short night,” Nate replied. “I slept like a rock.”

Using a key, Cleon opened the door, then followed them through. He escorted them to the elevator, and from there to Tallah’s door. He knocked.

Nate scanned up and down the hall, searching for signs of a fight. No evidence of the showdown with Victor and Trevor was apparent.

Tallah answered the door. She wore long, beaded earrings and an embroidered wrap over her purple top. “Welcome,” she said to Nate. “So nice to see you again.”

“Thanks,” Nate said, entering with the others as she stepped aside.

“Hey,” Lindy greeted. “Nice of you to rejoin us.” She sat on a sofa beside Risa.

“I needed alone time,” Nate said. “I was feeling overwhelmed. I had to go crash.”

“Now that you’re all here, we can begin,” Tallah said. “Who would care for oatmeal with cinnamon apples?”

“They’re not here for tainted snacks,” Cleon snapped.

“Mind your tongue, Mr. Cleon,” Tallah chided. “No need for unpleasantness. You kids want to get down to business?”

“Yes, please,” Risa said.

“There we go,” Tallah said. “Ask politely and I’m happy to accommodate. First things first. We need to wash your stamps away. Mr. Jonas insisted that we start from scratch. Hold out your hands.”

Nate extended his stamped hand. Tallah brushed a clear fluid onto the back of his fist. The pungent solution stung a little and felt very cold, as if it were evaporating rapidly. He turned his head away from the smell.

Once they had all been brushed with the solution, Tallah came by with a coarse cloth and scrubbed their hands briskly. Nate studied the back of his hand after she finished. His skin was red and raw. No trace of ink remained.

“You can choose two stamps,” Tallah said. “Jonas urged me to attempt three, but I swore I could make no three of his stamps stable, and he believed me. Good thing, too, else you kids might have suffered damage without remedy. Mr. Jonas informed me that due to the nature of your upcoming task, one stamp must enable you to fly. Each of you is free to choose whichever second stamp you wish.”

“For the record,” Cleon interjected, “you’d be wise to make sure various abilities are represented. This promises to be your toughest assignment yet.”

“I want to be a flying tank,” Chris said. “I’ve always thought that would be the best combo.”

“Fine with me,” Nate said.

“I think a racer jet would be best,” Risa said. “Do you guys mind if I do that?”

“Go for it,” Lindy encouraged. She turned to Cleon. “Think we’ll need to go underwater?”

“Not as far as I know,” Cleon said. “We can’t guarantee anything, but it seems unlikely.”

“Then maybe I’ll be a flying tank also,” Lindy replied.

“What about you, Nate?” Cleon asked.

Nate dug a piece of Peak Performance gum from his pocket. “What about this?” Nate asked, holding the stick of gum out to Tallah. “Could you blend this with two stamps?”

Furrowing her brow, Tallah accepted the gum. She unwrapped it and sniffed it. She tested the corner with her tongue. After scowling thoughtfully, she gave it another tiny lick. Then she passed the gum back to Nate.