I chuckle. “Oh, I don’t know. There was plenty of resisting for a while.” I eye Verus carefully. “Was that why you made the thrax stay longer in Purgatory?”

“Yes, but that’s all I can tell you.” Verus’s mouth stretches into an all-knowing, other-worldly smile. It’s a little irritating.

“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ve got healing to do and souls to zap around or whatever.”

Verus bows slightly. “Until the summit, then.”

“Yes, I’ll see you there.”

The world turns quiet and dark. More voices echo through my dreamless sleep. I open my eyes, blink and yawn. Cissy and Zeke stand near my bed. I drink in the sight of them and smile. They’re safe, alive, and bickering up a storm. Everything feels a little more right with the universe.

Cissy stomps her foot. “I know it’s been days since she’s eaten.” She wags her finger at Zeke. “But Senator Lewis said not to wake her up.”

Zeke points to me. “Well, she’s up.”

Cissy’s tail wags up a storm behind her. “You’re awake! We brought you some broth.” She sits at the end of my bed, bowl in hand.

I pull myself up onto my elbows. “How long have I been out of it?”

“Four days.” She holds a spoon level with my mouth. “Open up.”

“I got it, thanks.” I take the bowl from her hands, raise it to my mouth and swallow. The liquid’s warm and tasty.

“Guess what?” Cissy beams. “I’m going to Verus’s summit too. I’ll be your Mom’s Junior Senator.”

“That’s great. You wanted diplomatic service.”

Zeke sets his palm on Cissy’s shoulder. “My parents are excited to keep her around.” He kisses the top of her head. “And so am I.”

Strange voices sound from the living room. My face crinkles. I’m not really up for meeting any strangers right now. “Who’s that?”

Zeke and Cissy share a pointed look.

“We should get going.” Cissy pulls the empty soup bowl from my hands. I must have been hungry; I don’t remember finishing it.

My friends make their goodbyes and step out the door, careful to close it behind them. The voices grow louder.

I force myself onto my feet, stumble over to the door, and open it a crack. Mom stands in the living room in a red dress, talking to tall man in a gray suit. I can’t see his face. My hazy head tries to place the outline of his body. It’s familiar somehow.

Mom laughs, her chocolate eyes shimmer. An aura of confidence and power surrounds her. I can’t remember the last time I saw her look so lovely and alive. Happiness makes me a little lightheaded. I lean against the doorframe for support.

The man wraps his arms around Mom’s shoulders, pulling her into a long kiss.