Fly finally tore his eyes away from North to look at her, a flicker of his old defiance in his gaze. "You can't do that little trick on me, can't just wipe the slate clean."
She shook her head slowly. "No, I can't. Your eidetic memory is more than mind over matter. It's yours to keep, a part of your very being, and I don't have the power to mess with it." She paused, her expression softening. "But like North, you're on your own journey, and what happened here will only strengthen it, Flynn Gallagher."
She reached out and pressed her hand to his heart. A warmth bloomed in his chest, a gentle, steady heat. "Your future calls. Your answer is here," she murmured. "Go find what your heartdesires. Chaos has given all of us that possibility, no matter his threat. It's his gift of purpose."
Then she turned away as silently as she had arrived.
Fly stood there for a long moment, the sight of North a steady counterpoint to the new rhythm beating in his own chest. The ache was still there, the memory of Mei a permanent part of his landscape. But Thera's words had shifted something within him. The forgiveness hadn't been a magic eraser for his guilt, and he finally understood why. It wasn't supposed to be. It was a release, a permission slip to stop defining himself by a single, catastrophic failure. His purpose wasn't in atoning for the past anymore. It was in building the future. The weight on his shoulders felt lighter, not because it was gone, but because he was no longer required to carry it alone. A small, genuine smile touched his lips for the first time in what felt like an eternity. He was free to fly again.
* * *
Lechuza watchedthe exchange between Fly and Thera. An interesting metamorphosis from the entity in the Veil to this flesh-and-blood woman. She had recovered after Twister did his magic, and they all returned to the estate for rest, food, and goodbyes. Eventually, she would have to be introduced to Silas, but that was for a different day.
North was whole and well, except for some missing memories, but seeing him hug his teammates brought tears to her eyes. It was a wonderful reunion.
She walked to Fly and touched his shoulder. He turned, and she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. “Thank you for being the Visionary. You saw what we couldn’t and it saved us all.”
She felt him swallow hard. “You’re welcome.” She released him and he smiled. The freckles across his nose made him look so young.
“What did she say to make you look so determined?”
“Get my ass in gear, my feet off the past path, and onto the one I’m meant to find.”
“That’s good advice.”
“And you? Flash?”
Lechuza looked at Flash, her heart bursting with what she needed to say to him. “He’s asked for some leave, and we’ve got some things to work out. We’ve waited long enough.”
“I’d say five hundred years was plenty. I’m happy for you both. I’m heading home. After that, I don’t know. It’s up to Tex to deal with this fall-out. North is going home too.” Fly smiled. “But I’m sure I’ll be seeing you. Our lives are tied to these guys.”
“I hope so. Both of you take care.”
He looked at Flash, and Fly nodded. “North,” Fly said, “time to go.” Then he walked up to Tex. “It’s been an absolute privilege serving with you and your team, Lieutenant.” Fly reached out, and Tex took his hand, then North’s as he appeared.
Tex stared at North for a moment. “You sons of bitches are the real deal. I have an uncomfortable conversation coming up with the brass, but the Navy, hell, the whole of DoD needs to know what is going on. I’d be surprised if they don’t put you up for medals.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Bondo said. “I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of chest candy in their futures.”
“Easy was right about both of you. We got the better end of the bargain,” Twister said.
North shrugged. “Anytime you’re not sure where you are. You’ll remember me, and that will be enough.”
Tex chuckled. The whole team, breaking around him.
“He’s just North,” Easy said, and there was another round of laughter.
Lechuza hugged them all, one by one, and Flash unfolded space and took them through.
The mission was over and they had miraculously won. That left only the Reavers, O-voo and Bagh. She had to go back to headquarters, face Silas, and somehow make him understand something had shifted not only in their CIA Shadowguard ranks, but in the very fabric of the oath.
She turned to them. “If there’s any way I can keep Bagh and O-voo out of?—”
“No, they have to own up to their part in shielding you. It’s up to Silas to make the decisions regarding how we move forward,” Komodo said. “We’re all bound.”
Lechuza nodded. “You’re right. We’re all bound. You ready?”
Bagh sighed. “Just don’t assign me to pick up lost souls in the Veil.”
