All eyes were locked on Brooke as she gazed down at the screen. It was currently showing what looked like a detailed map of the Huuron neighborhood with dots that represented orcs. Blue for allies, and red for enemies. There was also some text, but it was not in English. It was rough and had to be orcish.

“First, I want a team sent to Han’s store, and another to the location we lost the signal for our orcs,” Brooke said, and her eyes turned to me. “I want you to see where they are now, and check every five minutes. Look for anything that can be used to discern where they may be.”

I nodded and focused in on the necklace as Brooke spoke.

“Isla, organzie two teams, and Aleah, I want you to handle DOSA. No doubt they’re going to be swarming with what's going on.”

Zara was still in the back of a car and asleep, but it seemed like a different car and she was facing the back rather than the front. Han was awake, and I felt my blood boil as I saw the other figure in the room. Han was in the bed, and for a moment I thought she’d actually slept with him, but then I noticed the look in her eyes.

“Rick?” Brooke sounded concerned, and I realized my fists were clenched, and I was glaring at nothing.

“It’s Glenn.”

“Who?” Jay asked.

“An alchemist who Han recently met,” I explained, fighting down my anger. I knew something was wrong with him. I should have checked him or had Brooke run a background check or something.

“And Zara?”

“She’s in a different car now, but still asleep.”

“Are you sure Hand didn't go… willingly?” Lena posed the question in a very delicate voice.

“I considered it, but the look in her eyes?” I shook my head. “She’s scared.”

“Rick, how does the tracking feature work?” Brooke asked.

“I focus and there’s sort of a link. I can still see what's around them, but it's just a still 3d image, and the tracking is like knowing which direction they are in. Like, I know Zara is north, and Han is south.”

“Let me have a look at that,” Aleah said, taking the necklace. She focused and nodded to herself once. “Yes, the alchemist is definitely not there of her own volition, and Zara has a suppression collar around her neck. I think I can mimic this connection, and tie it to something that way we can attempt a rescue of both at the same time.”

“That would be perfect,” Brooke said. “Two teams, two targets.” She met my gaze. “Which do you want to be on.”

“Zara,” Freya said, her eyes wide.

Brooke's eyes narrowed. “I didn't ask you.”

“Why, Freya?” I asked. “Did you see something?”

She nodded. “It must be Zara or else she dies. The alchemist will live if you go after her, but the elf will not.”

Brooke seemed confused until I reminded her that Freya was a precog. I didn't know whether to believe her or not, but the look in her eyes didn't seem fake, and besides what reason did she have to lie? None as far as I could tell.

“I’ll go for Zara.”

“Then I'll lead for Han,” she said.

Everyone moved off to do their own tasks. Brooke clearly wasn't planning on waiting, and I was grateful for it. Especially about Han. Zara was still in a state of transition, but Han was awake and in Glenn's power. The thought made me grit my teeth. Brooke placed a hand on my shoulder. “Relax, Rick. Save the fury for when you get there, and be assured, this fool isn't going to live through this.” She shook her head. “This is the third time, something has happened to my friends.”

“It's not your fault.”

“I know that, but still… Once would be enough for a lifetime, but three times. First Zara, then you, and now Han and Zara. After this, they need some serious upgrades in defense, or to stay here.”

“Staying here would be best,” I said. “It would take a lot to break into this compound and past your clan.”

She puffed up at the compliment. “Yes, it would. Now, follow me. Let's get you suited up.”

“Suited up?”

“Yes,” Brooke said. “More defense, and boosts won’t hurt you, especially since you don't have any active effects on your clothing. And don't worry, they won't clash with any of your spells. We have sets for practitioners, though only mana and essence-based practitioners.”

Freya stopped me just before I left. “This is it for now, but… we will meet again. Your meeting with the end will occur on this night, but…” She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I… I see the city in flames, blurred, and…” She looked directly into my eyes. “Somethings going to happen. If you go to the elf you, she and the alchemist will all live, but in return, others will die.”

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“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means that your choice will have greater consequences than simply the fate of your lovers.” I opened my mouth, but she held a hand up. “I’m not done. The choice you make now will change things far beyond the scope of this city. I don't know what, but, I can say, that if you go to the alchemist you will die. Not today, maybe not even in the next month. But… you will more than likely die.”

“More than likely? Which is it? Will it happen or not?”

She grimaced. “The book was right. Fate isn’t set. At least plain fate isn't. It’s just what's most likely to occur, and though some can be bound to a fate, that's due to outside interference. Plain fate is just what’s most likely to happen. It can change, and most of the time is not a hundred percent guaranteed.”

“But there's a good chance it will happen?”

“Let’s just say if you go for the alchemist there’s a ninety-nine percent chance you die, probably in the next year.”

I took that in, but I didn't really know what to do, or hell, if I should believe her or not. In the end, I pushed it away for later. Her words hadn't changed what I was going to do, and I couldn't wait any longer. Brooke was by the door and looked like she was about to march over.

“Thanks, I guess, but I’ve gotta go.” I hesitated. “Goodbye.”

“For now,” she called to me as I walked away. “We’ll meet again, past the gold, gambles, and sin to come.”

I glanced back at her, but she was turned away. What was that? Another vision?

Brooke looked like she wanted to ask what happened, but I just shook my head. She led me out further down the compound until we reached a room full of weapons and armor. It was actually two rooms connected, and another separate room full of small gadgets and tools, from tracker darts to a whole shelf of different kinds of grenades. The armor she pulled off for me was similar to her own, looking like a standard swat uniform but with metal worked in, and armor atop certain areas. I expected it to feel bulky and awkward, but to my surprise, it felt light and fit like a glove. I should have expected it. It was enchanted after all.

“Now, weapons.”

“I have my magic.”

“And when that fails you, what then?”

I said nothing.

“Exactly, now take this and this.” She handed me a pistol which went into a belt holster and a combat knife. “And lastly this.” I took the two rods she handed me and shot her a questioning look.

“They’re stun rods, very useful, and your armor negates their effect, so it’ll work on your enemies, but not you. But take care, these are powerful, and will send everyone in a few meters to the ground, and keep them there. So long as the rod is still active, it will keep them stunned until it runs out of charge or is destroyed.”

“How long will it last.”

“Around fifteen minutes,” She said. “It's quite durable but susceptible to magic and excessive force.”

Brooke strapped a blade to her pack, two pistols, a number of rods, grenades, an SMG, an assault rifle, and a few others gadgets. She pressed them to her armor and they vanished. “Spatial pockets?”

She nodded. “We can’t afford to put in on everyone's armor, not like it is for me, but even you have one space to put gear, and can take it out as long as your touching any part of your armor.”

“You’re a lot more dangerous than I considered,” I said.

“Well, we have to be,” She said, pride clear in her voice. “We’re clan Huuron. Now, let's get going. We’ve got some damsels to save.”

I snorted. “I don’t think Han or Zara can be described as damsels.

As we heard to meet back up with everyone, I pulled my phone out and rang Bob. I formed a sound-canceling bubble around me as I did. I needed to tell him what was happening and that I wouldn't be back for at least a day. He picked up after the first ring, and I relayed everything to him.

“Don’t worry about dying,” He said. “The anchor is all done. Oh, and we had an uninvited guest break into the hotel room. I’ve got her locked in the pocket. She seems to be with the fae of the auction.”

I felt my heart stop. “Do they know it was us?”

“No, just her. She had a hunch and followed it. She isn't talking much.”

“Alright, Bob, I’ll see you later, hopefully not after I die.”

I ended the call and dispersed the bubble.

“Who was that?”

“A close friend,” I said. I glanced and saw her looking at me intently. I shrugged. “I can’t tell you. I want to, but I can’t.”

“Does it have anything to do with why DOSA would be on your case?”

“Yes.”

“Well, just be careful. DOSA isn't something to mess about with, certainly not with enforcers and an ender in the city.”

“I understand,” I said, even though it was already too late. The enforcers and enders were here for me. As we met back up with the others, I wondered how long I had left until the ender was truly on my trail. I also tried to figure out why so many people were out to kill me, and if that would attract the ender in my direction. That would be just my luck.