Aiko drifted back into awareness, heavy and slow, like swimming through fog. A flickering light buzzed overhead, making shadows jump. Her wrists burned—ropes dug into her skin, binding her hands behind her back. A gag cut across her mouth, muffling the panicked cries clawing at her throat.

  This isn’t my cell. Where am I?

  Her breath came quick and shallow through the cloth. She tried to calm down, but every inhale felt like fire, every exhale a shaky whisper. Her eyes darted around. Bare walls. Concrete floor. No bars.

  This isn’t detention. This is… something else.

  The Hendersons flashed through her mind—Mrs. Henderson’s kind hand on her shoulder, Emma’s laughter. All of it felt a million miles away.

  Aiko thrashed her head side to side. “Mmmph!” The sound was useless. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing words through her mind.

  No. I won’t let Malcolm win. I have to get out.

  The smell of sweat and mildew filled her nose. Her fingers scraped desperately at the floor, searching. Cold metal nicked her fingertips. She hooked it—a shard. Sharp enough to hurt, maybe sharp enough to save her.

  Do it fast. Before they come back.

  She worked the shard into her bound hands. It sliced her skin as she sawed at the rope. Every jerk burned, but she didn’t stop. Finally, one hand slipped free. Then the other. The ropes fell.

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  Aiko ripped the gag out of her mouth, coughing. The first breath felt like ice water flooding her chest.

  Then she froze. Voices.

  “Adjust the timelines,” Malcolm’s voice snapped. “The global stage is set. We can’t afford delays with Mindjevity.”

  Mindjevity. The word sank like a stone in her stomach. What is that? Something Mom worked on?

  Another voice answered, calm. “Understood. Mindjevity will proceed as planned.”

  No… it has to be connected to Mom’s research.

  Her pulse thundered.

  “You’re not supposed to be awake yet.”

  Aiko’s head whipped around. One of the guards—the same who’d dragged her before.

  She bolted, legs shaky. They gave out and she hit the cold floor hard. The guard lunged, pinning her in his arms. She gasped, wriggling, then jabbed her fingers into a pressure point on his thigh.

  Thank you for that training Uncle.

  The guard howled, dropped her.

  Aiko scrambled up and sprinted down a green-painted corridor. Barred windows. At the end—an open door, light spilling in. She pushed her legs harder.

  Go, Aiko, go!

  A hand clamped her shoulder, yanking her back.

  “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Malcolm’s smooth voice curled into her ear.

  She twisted, fury and fear colliding. “What do you want with me?!”

  His smile was calm, too calm. “For you to realize your potential. To help me solve your mother’s greatest mystery. Think of the great things we can do together.”

  More footsteps. Guards closed in, surrounding her. Aiko swung, kicked, scratched, but there were too many.

  “Get off me!” she screamed, voice cracking.

  “Quiet, child,” Malcolm said. “This phase will be over soon… like a shadow in the night.”

  Arms lifted her, carrying her toward the door. A sharp sting jabbed her arm. Her vision blurred, slipping away into black.