"If we flee to your world, it only gives Lote that much more motivation to quickly figure out how to make it there," Elias said.

"And if you stay, they're going to break into your brain and figure it out that way." I checked out the window again, convinced someone could approach at any moment. "Lote is very motivated and I don't think you taking refuge in my world makes a meaningful difference."

"She's right." Jax rested against the wall, but his hand remained on the hilt of his blade. "Do you really think that someone in your guild won't be able to crack the code on what you did? It's a matter of time."

Ashton paced on the other side of the room, the sound of each footstep unnerving me.

"We can't just leave here without taking care of Lote and the rest of the guild," Elias said. "It's only pushing off the problem."

"No, we're recruiting allies. You, Ashton, and Max return to your world. I'll turn to my guild for help."

"Wait." I shook my head. "That puts my world in more danger. Lote will be limited right now by trying to keep this a secret. He didn't even tell Elias and Ashton about his machines. He keeps his secrets well-protected. My world is a major secret. He's not going to bring an army over, at least not yet. He's going to try to get the job done with the least amount of people."

"True," Elias said. "Even a small amount could be enough."

"I have allies I can trust." Jax walked closer to me, his tone imploring. "We at least need to gather a few strong warriors to support us."

"Won't your guild ask questions?"

"Not right now. They trust me. If they know I have a plan and it's not safe to say much yet, they won't ask questions. I've done this before."

Back in my world, Nash had secretly worked against the Prophet unsuccessfully for years before we met and killed him together. It didn't surprise me that Jax was so active here with plans of his own. "How many?"

"Three I would trust with the life of anyone in this room."

"What about with my entire world?"

"Yes." He spoke with such assurance and conviction that I couldn't bring myself to question him. "I have more I trust with my life, but with those three, I would trust anyone's life."

"Bring them," I said. "I trust you and I trust your word. So they'll fight with us."

The fire of battle ignited in his eyes as he nodded. "Will you transport me to them?"

"Yeah. Let's plan here and then we'll gather your allies. I want us in my world as soon as possible, though. Lote is capable of more than we can imagine. For all we know, he already can travel to my world, and could be going there now."

Now that terrified me to think about.

"It's okay," Elias said. "I don't think that's the case. We'll work fast here and get you home."

"You too." I wasn't taking no for an answer. "They'll kill you here."

Ashton chewed her thumbnail as she paced. I huffed and twisted her way.

"Would you stop it?" I raised my voice at her. "Get over here."

"I need to think," she said.

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"No, you don't. You're spiraling. You need to stop thinking. Trust me. Get over here and help us plan."

"I fucked up." Ashton shook her head, her voice on the verge of tears. "I stood there and watched you two fight him."

"Ash." Jax spoke softly, the way Nash did to me when I felt anxious. "You loved Lote. You can't be expected to turn on him in a day. It's understandable."

"It is." Elias took a few steps closer, but didn't fully approach her. "Let it go."

"It's not. It's unacceptable."

The two men started to talk at the same time, both wanting to console her. I crossed my arms.

"It is unacceptable," I said. "You never enter a battle with an enemy you aren't prepared to kill. You should have stayed home."

Jax and Elias both looked at me with surprise.

"Max," Elias said quietly.

"No, don't coddle her. That's the problem, isn't it? Elias, you coddle her. Ashton, you never had to fight alone. You always had someone. You're stronger than this. Stop pacing around and get into this battle. Now."

Ashton slowed to a stop, facing away still.

Everyone quieted. I could see by the look of admonition on Elias's face and worry on Jax's that they thought I'd been harsh. I knew myself, though. When I was on the verge of breaking, I needed comforted. Ashton was not close to breaking. She was guilty, and I knew that feeling well.

Slowly, she turned to face me, staring at me without speaking. Finally, she walked up to me, leaned against the wall beside me, and breathed out very slowly.

"Thank you," Ashton said. "I needed that."

"I know."

The men raised their brows at each other.

"Just so you know, you two are not allowed to do that to me." Ashton pointed a finger at each. "Only I can do that to me."

I grinned at that, holding in my chuckle. She had that right. I would lose it on Piercey if he tried that and if Nash did, I would probably only crumble. Leif and I were the only ones who could give that kind of talk to me and have it work.

That was why I needed my dear friend so much.

"Let's figure out our plan and get to my world." I clapped my hands. "No wasting time."

----------------------------------------

My world and Elias's were the same in every way except for the number of people who had power and the myriad ways that changed our civilizations. It was the same sun, though, the same weather, the same animals.

And yet everything felt so much brighter when we appeared in the courtyard of the Sacred School with the sunlight bathing the dome above us.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds, the feeling of home hitting me deeply in my chest, settling in my gut.

"You all go sit behind that big tree. No one is going to snoop around over there and I don't want you to be seen." I pointed to the tree where Piercey and I had often sat.

The Ashton, Elias, Jax, and the three warriors from the other guild walked over and sat down with their backs facing the rest of the courtyard. I felt for Nash and teleported to him. I'd used so much power today, that transporting was starting to feel like a strain. My desperation to see him drove me, though.

I landed in a hallway right in front of both him and Leif.

"Nash," I said the moment I saw him.

He had been mid-sentence when he saw me and he grabbed me without saying another word, closing his arms tight around me, holding me so close it suffocated me.

"You're okay," he said. He kissed the crown of my head, pulled back enough to see me, and kissed my temple. My cheek. "I worried every second you were gone."

"I'm sorry." I clasped his shirt with both hands, letting my weight fall onto him, breathing him in. "I missed you so much." There was work to be done, though. "Listen, there's a lot to say, but we need to get to the courtyard." I motioned for Leif and he grabbed my shoulder. Not wanting to take the time to walk across the complex, I transported us to the courtyard.

Nash immediately noticed the group by the tree. "Is that…"

"Yeah," I said. "Jax is over there. Be prepared for that."

"This is crazy."

"I've got to see this," Leif said. He walked ahead of us for the group and called out in a boisterous voice. "Who dares to copy the face of our great Max, the Sharpshooter, and the spy."

I snorted at him calling Nash a spy and jogged to catch up. The group stood to meet us, Jax turning around to face Nash.

The two both paused. I looked from one head of curly hair to the other.

"Holy hell," Leif said. "There really are two of them. Just know I'll still you if you hurt Max. Any version of Max."

He nodded at Ashton. An uncertain but amused smirk came over her face.

"It doesn't feel real," Jax said.

"This…" Nash looked between Ashton and Jax. "This is incredible."

I'd been living in this chaos for so long that I couldn't feel it anymore. Instead, I felt removed, even numb, to the shock of seeing copies of ourselves.

Ashton stared at Nash before turning her attention to me and I saw pain in her eyes. Pain I could feel in my own chest, because I'd lived through enough of her memories to know that she hated herself right now for letting anything keep her away from Jax.

"Let's talk," I said. "Our apartment is close by. I'll call Piercey and Wren to have them meet us."

"Apartment," Ashton said.

Nash scratched the back of his neck. "Is it too much for you guys?"

"No." Jax shook his head. I wasn't sure about Ashton, though. She said nothing.