“It hasn’t not worked yet.”
Takeshi pressed his hand to his forehead at Nick’s comment. It was a reaction that a lot of people had to him. “Keep that optimism, kid. It might not help you in the future.”
“What?”
“Exactly.”
Nick laughed as he realized Takeshi had caught on and played him right back. It was awesome.
“So, are you willing to take us there?”
Takeshi paused before he answered. “I want it on record that I am a conscientious objector to this.”
Caleb snorted. “I want it on record that I’m a conscientious objector to all of Nick’s idiocy.”
“I’m inclined to agree.” Takeshi sighed. “So who all’s going with me?”
“Everyone except Ambrose.”
Shock spread across Takeshi’s face, then he visibly shivered. “Really? He’s the voice of reason. You’re all doomed.”
Xev snorted. “Like we didn’t know that already?” He took a step toward Kody. “What do we have to look forward to in that time period, Miss Kody?”
“Faster internet.”
Nick liked the sound of that. “Awesome! I need more bandwidth. When can we leave?”
Takeshi leaned forward and whispered darkly in Nick’s ear, “Be careful what you wish for … you just might get it.”
4
NEW ORLEANS, 3266
Kody froze as they appeared where Nick’s home had once stood. It was one thing to remember this, but another to be back here.
In the flesh.
Horror went through her as she thought about the last time she’d been here, in this place. Buildings had been on fire. People had been running and screaming.
Cyprian had picked them off, one by one.
Ambrose had taken her hand. “Get to safety.”
“What about you?”
“I’m always with you.”
Until he wasn’t.
Why couldn’t she purge these nightmares? It was so hard to move on when the pain was still fresh. Still paralyzing.
How could her entire life have been negated and destroyed by one psycho?
It wasn’t right or fair. And she’d never understand why the Malachai had been cursed. Why Cyprian couldn’t have been like Nick. Forgiving.
Decent.
She wiped at her tears before others saw them. It really sucked to know their futures and not be able to warn them.
