“That’s just it, you guys. It could
be anything. I think we’re moving too fast on this. I know the Council isn’t perfect but why would they deny the existence of a whole race?”
“They did that because they were afraid of the balance shifting,” Miku replies.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure we should be undoing anything the Council has done,” Jay protests.
“We brought Rio back,” Miku replies.
“That’s different.”
“No, it isn’t. The Council isn’t perfect. They never should have denied the Quo the right to equality. Now we get to correct that,” Marcus says.
“This has nothing to do with equality. You want to save the human,” Ameana says.
“It’s been almost a year now. Can you just say my name?” I ask, no longer hiding the irritation in my voice.
She ignores me and address the team.
“Jay does have a point. We need more time to dig deeper into the Quo.”
“We don’t have time. There is a price on Emmy’s head. Every single evil entity is looking for her,” Marcus replies.
“The Council hid an entire race from us. I just think we really need to find out why,” Jay insists.
“The Triplex is in Emmy. The Council hid that from us, too. They do whatever they want,” Miku reflects.
“I’m just saying we need to slow down,” Jay adds.
“Again, we don’t have time,” Marcus objects.
“Look man, I know you love, Emmy. I love baby girl, too. But you are walking into to a ridiculously dangerous situation without enough info,” Jay warns.
“What do you want me to do? Google ‘Quo People’?” Marcus snaps.
“Let’s go back to The Sage, maybe he knows something.”
“No. I’m not wasting anymore time,” Marcus vows.
“He’s just telling you to be careful, Marcus. We could go to Pyron and it could be some kind of trap,” I inform him.
“I get that, Emmy. But it doesn’t matter. It’s the only way to keep you alive.”
“Were they being honest when they said they are the Triplets from the story?” Miku asks her twin.
“Yes, but they do have secrets.”
“That’s everybody,” Ameana says.
“When they talked about their history was it true?” I ask.
“It’s not that simple. The sisters are radiating a lot of things. But it could be because they are lying to us about something or because they have their own personal issues going on. For example, Charity is so hot for Jay she’s about to jump out of her skin.”
Normally Jay would use that opportunity to make a joke but he didn’t. He must really be worried about this mission.
“We need to talk to The Sage,” Jay says again.
“No time,” Marcus insists.
“Can we at least call him?” Ameana wonders.
“I tried calling, there’s no cell service here,” Jay replies.
“Jay, you’ve always had my back. What’s changed?” Marcus accuses.
“I have always had your back, but you’re compromised. I get it. You’re in love. But if you’re not thinking clearly, then it’s our job to get you to stop and think about what you’re doing,” Jay pleads.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Is that why we lost Reese? Is that why we almost lost Rio?”
“I’m so sick of you throwing that in my face. How many times have I helped make a win happen for this team? How many Cycles is it going to take for you to forgive me for Reese’s death?”
“He was my best friend. Every single day, he’s on my mind.”
“He’s on my mind, too, Jay.”
“That’s crap. The only one on your mind is, and always will be, Emmy.”
“What the hell do you want from me? Huh? You think hating will bring Reese back?”
“I think forcing you to focus will prevent us from dying a tortuous death.”
“Oh and when you came down here on this mission, was that your goal, Jayden? To make sure you had an easy death?”
“I wanted not to die at all.”
“Then you never should have agreed to be a Guardian. We don’t get to choose how we die. We get a mission and we complete it. Period.”
“This isn’t about the mission. This is about you going off and making the whole world pay because you fell in love.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Marcus!”
“Okay. I’ll tell you what Jay, I’m gonna ask you and everyone in this room a question. If anyone raises their hand, then we can call this whole thing off. I will take Emmy’s life right here, right now.”