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That explained the fear and uncertainty I could feel pulsing around the roo to wait until thiswas off with Eht Who is that?" I asked Might as well get things started

"Teague," Dad said, and was quiet for a h mental files for infory department at Bennett University before it was dismantled," Dad explained "Her unconventional ideas stripped the credibility of so for the depart with several stafffrom melancholy to fear juled for me to sort out

"Wait a second" Nate switched positions on the floor beside me so fast it made my head hurt, and his mind moved as quickly as his body did "You said that the staff chose to leave If staying at the school was one choice, as the other?"

"Joining Teague" Dad’s lips pressed together in a grih to send an assassin and demand--" I stopped I already knew the answer

So did Em

"She’s part of the consequence Cat warned me about before I went back to save Michael" Em slumped back hard on the sofa Dust fleo feet in the air "Teague must be part of the Powers That Be"

"The Powers That Be" Dad nodded "Chronos"

Dune placed his elbows on his knees, and one of his dark brown dreads escaped the leather tie, swinging into his eyes He ignored it "I thought Chronos was a myth"

"That’s what they want you to think" Dad’s voice was grim and layered in what felt like years of frustration

Dune’s focus drifted toward Dad’s bookcase and his hourglass collection They were the only things on the shelves that weren’t dusty

"I didn’t follow Teague," Dad explained, his expression resigned "I’d begun researching the tilass Cae offered s It was past tiet out She wasn’t coue knew about my ability and Cat’s, as well as Grace’s"

My stomach took a dive at the sound of ue want Jack no can he repair the dae he … we did to the continuum?" Em focused on a spot on the floor Pain Sadness But not one hint of regret Michael took her hand

"Poe didn’t say that Jack could repair the continuued Em’s knee with my elbow "He said if we found Jack, there was a possibility the continuum could be repaired You were kind of … out of pocket for that part"

"Oh yeah I was on the ground bleeding to death" Ehed halfheartedly

No one else did

"Can Jack fix the continuuainst the bookcase He was hiding so much I could feel it, but I couldn’t explain any of it "I don’t think that’s why Teague wants him"

"Why, then?" Em asked

"That’s not for you kids to worry about" He was protecting us He was also terrified After pausing for a moment, he seemed to e froue was for me, not all of you"

"What? That can’t be it We still have questions" I pulled ry "You have to let us help you"

"No, I don’t" Dad shrugged with an air of finality, and then stepped forward to shuffle papers on his desk