Someone cue the uplifting music. The Shadow were successful, and now it was time to party.

At least Tameka could think as much, but her body begged her for a nap. Celindria had proven difficult to defend against while taking over Tameka’s volition. It took everything in her to hold out until Pax drained his mother enough for Pablo to zap her with a nacre disabler. When she’d come to, Aria and Torch were feeding her their special Gargantuan Tritan/Lyriki blood. It was lucky, too, because there was no way Tameka was missing this.

Unlike the airplane crash outside of Enki’s conduit on Earth. Tameka enjoyed mentioning it just to watch the vein in Kyle’s forehead pulsate with exasperation.

Family.

Tameka led the Shadow through Sagan’s conduit. Sagan, Rayne, Kyle, and Andrew followed. They reentered the Palatial Grounds on the stage to far more organization than Tameka had expected. Caedes and Pablo had been busy.

Jack, Ross, Bethany, Devis, T.a.o., and Andrius followed through and spread out into a line along the stage, making room for Silence, Lucas, and Pax.

As the line of Shadow increased, the crowd took notice. Cheers erupted among the hundreds of thousands who’d fought along their side.

Jack muttered, “It’s not every day a dead hero rises.”

Rayne beamed at her brother.

The cheering abruptly ceased when Xelan and Korac, carrying Nox between them, stepped through onto the stage. Tall and broad, they formed the center of the line in an amazing spectacle. Tameka could only imagine what people were thinking—

Thunderous.

Their cheers transformed into roars, and fists went to chests everywhere. From today’s display, all of Iona Pax knew of the Shadow’s sacrifice and commitment to their freedom. Now, they could look to the future with hope and optimism.

Fuck it.

Tameka took Kyle’s hand. And he took Rayne’s. She took Sagan’s—And so on until it formed a line of unified fighters. Even Korac joined in the moment of solidarity and joy.

When Tameka spotted Iuo in the crowd, it didn’t surprise her to see him wiping away a happy tear. This was some ending to his premiere. She even considered forcing everyone to take a final bow, but there was too much work ahead.

With a final squeeze of Kyle’s hand, Tameka jumped off the stage and made her way to Caedes. Boots and heels of her family followed, and she knew no matter how long this day might take, they’d get through it together.

“Report, soldier.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Caedes’ ears flushed blue, and it deepened to indigo when Pax showed up and giggled at him.

As soon as Tameka remembered ‘ordering’ was like ‘flirting’ to Caedes, she flushed red and mumbled an apology.

Pehton called, “Hey! I see you.” She pointed two fingers at her eyes and then one at Tameka. The garnets glittered with good humor.

Tameka liked the way Caedes chuckled at his girlfriend’s fake jealousy. A happy relationship suited him.

Caedes ducked his eyes as if he’d caught Tameka staring and said, “We’re still accounting for all of Celindria’s vessels. Once you’d… ah, defeated her, F8 brought the drones online. They’re assisting in any way they can, including the ones Celindria had kept in the Oblivion Cathedral.”

The story of Celindria’s defeat would need telling.

Tameka said, “We saved her, and now Celindria is where she was meant to be—Far away from us.” Tameka found she possessed enough spirit in her to laugh. “But seriously, if we find everyone is mostly unharmed, then this was the victory we needed.”

Caedes muttered, “Praise Elden.”

Yeah. Elden…

“He’s taller in person,” Tameka mused aloud. “Oh, and Tumu and Smith? They’re half-Aegis.”

The slight widening of Caedes’ eyes was his only response.

Someone tapped Tameka on the shoulder. She turned to find Lamassau and hugged the green Tritan out of sheer relief. There were so many faces she loved that she’d almost never seen again. If it weren’t for Pax and the other Progeny. “What is it, Chef?”

Lamassau flushed black, making Tameka one for two on the bashful scoreboard. He said, “I’ll fill Caedes in on the details. I think these people could use a boost.” He gestured at the citizens laid out with disabled nacres across the Palatial Grounds.

Iuo peered from behind the seven-foot tall Tritan. “I’d love to hear the exclusive story. I’ll need sit-down interviews with all of you, of course.”

“Of course, Iuo. Just let me settle my concerted empire first.” Tameka winked at him before she shifted her eyes into Atramentous. Borrowing power from Ishkur’s sun, she transferred it to the tens of thousands of unconscious victims.

Somewhere along the way, Tameka recognized the brush of Pax’s power as he joined her.

Pehton called, “It’s working!”

Everywhere across the Palatial Grounds people opened their eyes and sat up.

What the hell?

Tameka fed some to the rest. As many people as she could touch across the continent. This was a day to celebrate, and how could they party if everyone was exhausted?

Beside Tameka, the guys of their varying races gasped from the boost. Renewed, they glowed with vitality and determination. It might take them all day—all week, even—but they’d sort this mess out.

“All right, listen up!” Tameka called, and everyone stopped to listen. “I want the database we compiled of suspected victims cross-referenced with today’s guest list. Locate those people, verify their condition, and check them off. Next, I want some food brought here, pronto. It’ll be a long day and an even longer night, and we need fuel.” Sagan gave a little cheer, and Tameka smiled as she continued, “Then, I want counselors—every single person qualified to work in mental health—prepared to treat this trauma. We aren’t leaving these people without resources. Let’s work in shifts, so no one burns out. Qas and Pablo, enlist some medical help from your students. T.a.o. work out a schedule with Sagan. We need to get these people home, but don’t overextend yourselves. Ross and Kyle, see if you can offer some help with their memories of Celindria’s control. Do what you feel comfortable offering, but I think it’s something worth doing.”

Bethany patted her chest.

Tameka asked, “Do you want to help?”

The teenage girl nodded.

“Thank you.” Tameka smiled at Bethany before moving onto the next crew. “Andrew and Andrius, is there anything you can do? Suggest less anxiety or something? With their consent, of course.”

While the boys laid out a care plan, Tameka glimpsed Xelan staring at her in awe. As their eyes met, the wonder transitioned into a magnificent grin.

Tameka was definitely getting laid tonight.