Before the shouts could even begin, Katie’s grandmother, Louisa, began to pull the aura into herself once more.

Everyone got the message loud and clear.

Terraform eyed the group as if waiting for the brave—or idiotic—soul willing to challenge the older woman’s stance. A full ten seconds passed before the man seemed satisfied.

“Every moment we waste is a another opportunity for a bomb or raiding party to bypass Marlon. I’ll give three minutes for relevant questions. I’ll ignore anything else. Hands.”

An older man in the middle of the group raised his hand. He seemed to have the largest flock of people gathered about him and Terry could feel his aura even through the churn of Louisa’s pull.

Terraform’s lips set tight—a rare reaction from the generally stoic man—and he seemed almost reluctant to point toward the older man.

His voice was high and reedy, almost aristocratic, but with a whining undertone that aged the man down multiple decades. “Why?”

Terraform wrinkled his nose in distaste, but it was Louisa who answered for him.

“Why what, Rupert!” she growled. “The man said don’t waste our time.”

The man named Rupert stood up straighter, as if trying to look down his nose at the hunched over woman.

“Why—” He drawled out the word slowly, as if seeing how long he could make the syllables last. “—is Qui Shen coming? What have we done to offend him?” He cast a pointed look toward Terraform at that, clearly insinuating that this might be a Terraform issue, not a Market issue.

There was some slight grumbling at that, but Terry couldn’t help but notice that a large portion of the crowd followed Rupert’s gaze, looking to Terraform for a response.

Of course, Terry knew why Qui Shen was coming, knew that he had made the long trek across continents and hundreds of miles underground for the Singularity in Terraform’s chest. Even with an S-ranked Traveler at his beck and call, the logistics of launching a war party across those distances—while leaving your kingdom behind—were not the moves of a whim.

Qui Shen was making a bold play and Rupert had correctly surmised that the stakes were high.

Terraform eyed the crowd, perhaps trying to read the mood. After a moment, he shook his head.

“I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.”

Oof, Terry thought. That’s a bold strategy.

Rupert and his hanger ons shared shocked looks, and a low rumbling began to form among the crowd. The man surveyed the mood, clearly waiting for a consensus to form before speaking up.

“That’s an unacceptable answer.” Rupert looked around him, clearly garnering support. “We deserve to know why we’re being evicted from our home!”

“You’re not being evicted, you dolt,” Louisa called out. She had more words on the edge of her tongue when Terraform placed a gentle hand on her arm. She clamped her lips tight with a scowl that could peel paint.

“You’re welcome to stay and fight, Rupert,” Terraform said lightly. “But Qui Shen isn’t known for his mercy and I’m afraid this is a battle we cannot win.” He scanned the crowd once more, his eyes seeming to pierce through the anger, his words reminding them of the impending doom. “Next question.”

Rupert bristled, his hand twitching as if he were bold enough to take another shot at the leader of the Market. But Terraform’s eyes were balls of power, burning like the lava down in the Pit directly below his office.

After a tense moment, a woman in the back, nearby Terry, raised her hand.

“Yes, Marin?”

She flinched at her name as if she hadn’t believed she would be given the floor. Drawing in a deep breath, she recovered her nerve.

“Coul-could we surrender? If we don’t fight…”

She trailed off as Terraform shook his head.

“I’ve already corresponded with the man.” Surprise filtered through the crowd, including Terry. “He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he has been mandated by Heaven to burn me and all who I have touched.” Terraform sighed heavily, clearly distraught at the news. “If I had to guess, I’d say he’s been given a Quest to wipe out the Market and all its residents.”

The crowd threatened to boil over once more, but Terraform cut it off before the unrest could materialize.

“We have no choice. Some of us will fight and stall while the others flee. That is the only thing we can do.”

“You’re not coming?”

Terry didn’t see who had said it, but he had to agree with the urgency and distraught tone in the person’s voice. Why wasn’t Terraform planning on leaving with them?

The leader of the Market shook his head.

“After this meeting, I leave with those who have already agreed to follow. We meet Qui Shen deep under the earth, away from the lava of the Pit where he will be strongest. I’ve identified a section along their path where there is nothing but stone within ten miles. There, I will have my best shot at ending the threat. And if nothing else…I’ll delay them as long as possible so that the rest of you may put as much distance between you as you can.”

Another person in the crowd raised a hand and Terraform nodded.

“Where can we go?”

“There is only one faction within a thousand miles capable of challenging Qui Shen.” Terry’s stomach dropped as he realized who Terraform meant. “You’ll head for the North American East Coast, the stronghold of the SPC.”

Dancer…

Tania glanced toward Terry, obvious concern in her eyes. He glanced back, shrugging with a feigned lack of concern.

He didn’t want her to see the weight pressing down on him. The absence of Silver, who had served as his bulwark against the Dancer threat. The flight from Wichita, the loss of that safe haven.

And now the Market, the one place that had felt unassailable, was on the verge of destruction.

For some reason, it felt like the world was conspiring against him, stripping away his comforts, forcing him from any place he might call home.

So selfish…

This wasn’t about him—thousands were being displaced from their homes. He needed to think about them. He needed to help save as many lives as possible.

Terraform had continued talking, but he had missed it. But as the back wall of the room liquefied, Terry’s attention snapped back into focus.

Stolen novel; please report.

Sol was there, striding toward them from the tunnel that had been previously hidden. Hunter—the Hypnotist helping him cope with the trauma of his imprisonment—was at his shoulder, but all eyes were on the S-ranker.

The condensed aura around the man was a mountain shifting the ambient flow, impossible to miss. Murmurs of surprise and excitement began to build among the crowd as they realized another S-ranker had joined them.

Terraform held out his hand to indicate the approaching Sol.

“Many of you know Sol by reputation. He is an S-ranker and one of the Originals. He happened to be visiting in a fortuitous turn of events.” He placed a hand on Sol’s shoulder and Terry was pleased to note that the man appeared steady, his eyes slowly trailing over the crowd. “He’s agreed to lead the evacuation to the surface.”

Rupert raised his hand as he called out, “Shouldn’t a Market native lead the group?” He looked around for support. “Plus, don’t you have your own group to worry about?” He turned back, a questing look in his eyes. “The…Knights of Sol, weren’t they? Where are they now?”

Sol flinched, his eyes trailing to the ground. Hunter leaned in and whispered something in his ear and Sol nodded softly. At his side, Terraform glared at Rupert, his aura stirring noticeably.

Terry wondered how the man could be so bold in the face of two S-rankers. But though there were grumbles from some members of the crowd, he couldn’t help but notice more than a few were nodding along.

Terraform opened his mouth to respond, a mask of fury on his face. But Sol’s hand stopped him, his eyes lifting to meet Terraform’s gaze. The leader of the Market nodded and stepped back.

Sol slowly turned his eyes back toward Rupert, and Terry felt the crowd stir as golden magic swirled in his pupils.

“What is your name?” Sol’s voice was soft, but carried a deadly edge to it that formed goosebumps on Terry’s skin.

To Rupert’s credit, he didn’t back down in the face of Sol’s obvious power, instead stepping forward to break free from his group.

“Rupert Olivier. A-ranked Duelist.”

Terry felt a shiver trace up his spine. An A-ranked Duelist was a threat—even to S-rankers. The sheer speed and strength they could potentially bring to bear was not something to be taken lightly.

Not that Terry would have given the man one chance in a hundred against someone of Sol’s caliber any other time. But the mental struggles he’d seen in the S-ranker back in Topeka did make him worry. Not that there would be a brawl right here and now, but more so that there could be a power struggle once they were gone from Terraform’s protection.

Enough A-rankers backing Rupert could spell disaster for the convoy.

To Sol’s credit, he didn’t give an inch and Terry wouldn’t had known there were cracks in the facade just from looking at the man.

“The Knights of Sol are dead.” His eyes seemed to burrow into Rupert, flashing golden like miniature suns. “But I owe Terraform a debt and he has asked me to see you all to safety.” Then, he smiled and shrugged. “Though, if you don’t want my assistance, I’ll simply stand back and let…” He clicked his tongue. “What was your name again?”

Rupert sniffed, crossing his arms. “Rupert Olivier.”

Sol chuckled in a self-deprecating manner.

“That’s right. Mr. Olivier seems up to the task, doesn’t he?” The light in the room suddenly dimmed, darkness spreading from the edges until the entire crowd was shrouded. Only Rupert remained illuminated, a large spotlight shining down on him. “He can defend you all should Qui Shen’s agents attack your convoy.”

A panicked voice called out through the dark. “Help us, Sol!”

Another joined in. “Lead us!”

A flurry of voices cried out then, layering over each other until the words were indistinguishable.

The dark receded, the spotlight diffusing until the room was illuminated like nothing had happened.

And there stood Sol, a friendly smile on his face.

“Well…if you insist.”

The crowd slowly settled, though there were quiet murmurings all around. Rupert stood stock still, his face stoic though his eyes burned as they stared at Sol and Terraform.

A flash of red on the map behind Terraform drew Terry’s eye, just as Terraform himself cried out. The room shuddered as an explosion went off somewhere in the Market. Shouts of panic filled the room, but were quickly silenced as Louisa’s aura cut across the crowd.

“The evacuation begins now!” Terraform called out. The wall looking over the Pit melted away, revealing hundreds of people milling about on a large stone platform that hadn’t been there before.

Had Terraform been coordinating all of the citizens into position even while hosting this meeting?

A glass bridge formed from the office floor, reaching out over the Pit to connect to the large stone platform.

“Get moving!” Louisa yelled and the crowd was quick to obey.

Terry and Tania were near the back of the office and so were one of the first people to step onto the bridge. They ran down toward the stone platform, but Terry nearly stumbled as something rushed past him.

He caught himself from tipping over the bridge edge with Tania’s help, then scanned ahead to see what had nearly sent him into the Pit.

Rupert was among the crowd waiting on the stone platform, weaving between the hundreds of people until he settled somewhere in the middle.

“That son of a bitch nearly killed you,” Tania muttered, casting daggers after the man. “Sol should just melt the bastard and be done with him.”

Terry couldn’t find a reason to disagree.

Now that he wasn’t distracted by the tension of Sol’s standoff with Rupert, he could feel the portals Marlon was activating throughout the Market. He knew they were Marlon’s because he felt the man’s aura reaching out, touching space with a familiar, deft hand.

They snapped into place on the large stone platform and people surged from them. If Terry had to guess, these were the citizens who had been hiding inside the shelters.

“Can’t the Traveler just send us to safety!” someone cried nearby.

“He’s only a D-ranker,” another answered. “Plus, send us where? Into the stone?”

Terry was distracted from the surrounding panicked conversation by a notification.

Marlon Ockers has accepted your chat request.

> [Marlon]: Terry, no time. Getting overwhelmed.

The platform shifted, causing the crowd of people to cry out. Tania stumbled at Terry’s side and they steadied each other.

In the distance, he spotted Katie, Peter, Alan, and Tristan appear through a nearby portal.

> [Marlon]: Take my cats. Please.

> [Terry]: What are you saying, Marlon? Come with us!

> [Marlon]: This is my home. Ain’t leaving.

Terry growled in frustration. Tania, who had been waving over the others, looked at him with confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Marlon’s staying behind. Some bullshit about not leaving his home.”

Tania furled her brow. “The Traveler?”

He gave a distracted nod, then reached across space. Marlon’s presence touched his but he could sense the man’s distraction.

Terry forced his aura into Marlon’s shop and a portal whooshed into existence before him. He stepped through a moment later.

Tania called after him, but he snapped it shut before she could follow.

Marlon wasn’t in his usual spot by the pottery wheel, but Terry saw him over the toppled shelves near the front of the shop.

“What are you doing, boy!” he barked, whirling around in a rage. “Get back to the—”

He cut off as Terry felt another dozen intrusions fight to penetrate Market space. This time, Terry reached out with his own senses, adding his aura to Marlon’s as they worked together to force the forming portals shut.

When the threat had passed, Marlon stomped toward him, crashing through the shelves and broken pottery as if they weren’t there. His face was beet red, his large bulk suddenly intimidating as the man charged toward Terry. Marlon loomed over him with wild eyes.

“Get out of here!”

Terry had never seen the man so angry and he had to take a steadying breath to keep his heart from pounding out of his chest.

“Come with us, then!” he shouted back. “I’m not leaving you here to die!”

Marlon’s chest heaved, his eyes boring into Terry as if he could break Terry’s resolve by sheer force of will. After a tense moment, the anger melted away, Marlon’s shoulders sagging in defeat.

“I can’t, Terry. Don’t you see? I’m the only thing keeping Skipper in check. If I left with the rest of the evacuation, they’d be inside the Market in minutes. And if I continued to stall the prick while we evacuated, he’d narrow down our position and follow us.”

“What are you saying?” Terry whispered. He knew what the man was saying. He just didn’t want to believe it.

Marlon sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“I can stall Skipper out while Terraform takes the fight to them. Our lives will buy you the hours you need to get a head start.”

His throat tightened, tears forming against his control.

“Come away with us, Marlon.” His voice cracked, but he didn’t care. “We can fight him together. If we pool our power—”

Marlon shook his head and Terry felt his aura stir.

“You’ll just get in my way.”

Two dozen portals popped into existence around them, pulling his cats through. Terry felt them deposited on the stone platform, near where he had left Tania.

One more portal formed, this one pulling on Terry.

“Marlon,” Terry cried. “I can help!”

“I’m sorry,” the man whispered, his voice tight. “Take care of my babies.”

Terry fought against the man’s aura, struggling to reject the pull as Marlon had once told him was possible. But as he began to force himself away from the portal trying to suck him through, another formed behind him with no warning.

Tears dripped down Marlon’s face as he shoved Terry through.

There was a disorienting moment as he traveled through sub-space, then he landed on his butt back on the stone platform where he’d left Tania.

She was by his side in an instant, checking on him, but all he could do was stir his aura to reopen a portal back to Marlon.

I’ll force the bastard to follow us!

But his every attempt to cut through space was smashed before it could even materialize. No matter how hard he tried, Marlon shut down his portals with brutal efficiency and supreme control.

After a minute of futility, Terry sagged in Tania’s arms, an involuntary sob shaking his body.

All around him, cats roamed, distraught, meowing for their master.