She began to suspect—and fear—a portal was the only way in and out of the dimension. If she continued on her current path, searching for an exit, she would only waste more of her limited time and precious energy. Better to do something with a slight chance for success.

Maybe she should set some kind of trap for Zion? He’d dismissed the idea. She shouldn’t. If she captured him, she could force him to take her to Vale. Or maybe Bane.

Like it or not, Nola shared a formidable connection with the guy. Ever since her eighteenth birthday, he’d starred in her favorite dreams. When he’d requested aid, she’d traveled halfway around the world to help. Now, he owed her. With little effort on his part, he could help her rescue Vale.

Excitement bloomed. Okay. New list. Set trap for Zion, force him to open a portal. Find Bane. Convince Bane to save Vale before withdrawal sets in. Go home. Forget the war and its “combatants.” Forget my golden god’s potential alien status.

Her tired brain could think up only one trap. The old “dig a hole, cover the top and watch ’em fall” trick.

Where was a good place to—there! The spot where they’d eaten. She crouched and got to work, digging with her hands and a rock. Wasn’t long before fatigue and tremors set in, slowing her progress.

A fine sheen beaded on her skin, her heart a sledgehammer against her ribs. Only three hours had passed, but the opioid had already begun to wear off. Next would come the nuclear aches.

Dang it! Ticktock, ticktock. Yet she was no closer to achieving a single goal.

Deep breath in, out. Crap! Dizziness invaded. Shallow breath in, out. Better. In, out. Excellent. Focus. No telling when Zion will return.

As she continued to dig, tears of frustration welled, stinging her eyes. What wouldn’t she sacrifice to obtain strength like Bane’s?

When she wasn’t in the middle of a lupus or fibro flare, she forced herself to walk five miles a day. Per her doctor’s orders, she avoided foods with gluten, dairy and chocolate. Even though kale belonged in the garbage, she consumed it twice a week. At least! She drank a thousand vegetable smoothies packed with vitamins and minerals. And yet, her stupid body decided to betray her now, when her sister needed her most.

Her chin quivered. A lone tear scalded her cheek, and she hurried to wipe it away with the back of her hand. Give up? No! She had to push through. She would.

Leaning forward, Nola slammed the rock in the ground and scraped pile after pile of dirt toward her knees. Muscles burned from exertion. Another tear fell as one side of the hole collapsed, undoing all her hard work.