“Head north,” I say. “I think north would be good.”

“You got it, boss.” Nine steps on the gas and I look over at Bernie Kosar, who has curled up and fallen asleep.

We bury Héctor’s body at the bottom of the dam, where the white concrete meets the grass.

“He once told me that the key to change is letting go of fear,” I say, looking into the eyes of Ella, Crayton and Six. “I don’t know if I’ve let go of fear just yet, but the change is happening. It’s definitely happening. And I can only hope that you all can help me through it.”

“We’re a team,” Ella says. “Of course we will.”

After we say our good-byes, we climb the dam’s ladder. We stand on top of the dam, peering down into the valley and the lake. On the other side of the dam is a series of locks holding back a much larger lake, and I can’t help but think it’s a metaphor for the way I’m feeling right now. In front of me lies my past, small and distant and dotted with carnage, threatened to be flooded at any time. Behind me and my fellow Garde members, the future is massive and held back by unnatural forces.

I turn to Six and ask, “Do you know a John Smith in Ohio? Is he one of us?”

Her smile is wide. “I do know John. He’s Number Four.”

I reach for Ella’s hand on my right and Six’s on my left, and we stand there letting the mountain breeze whip our hair around our faces. Ella looks over at Six and asks, “Can we go to America?”

“The charm is broken. I don’t see why we can’t all be together now.” Six shrugs, turning back to the lake below.

Crayton joins us. “I hate to say this, but it’s the calm before the storm, ladies. We’re winning far too many battles for them to ease up now. You’re getting too strong for them, and they’ll be throwing everything they have at you. No more small armies with a few hundred soldiers and a couple of clumsy beasts. Their ruler will be here soon. Setrákus Ra.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Setrákus Ra.” Crayton shakes his head. “And I don’t think we’re ready for him.”

“Then it’s settled,” I say. “We’re going to Ohio to be with John Smith.”

“West Virginia, actually. In exactly two weeks,” Six says.

“I’m not sure that’s wise just yet.” Crayton begins walking away. “We need to gather the others first.”

Six walks after him. “That sounds good and all, but I have no idea where they are.”

“I do,” Crayton says, not turning around. “I also know where our Chimæras are. If Setrákus Ra thinks this is going to be easy, he’s got another thing coming.”

We follow him, taking the first of many steps down the opposite side of the dam.