“Multiple someones,” he added, and she withered. Bane was a lone wolf. “We must go, Nola.”

In unison, she and Vale professed their love. Nola tried to say more, to reassure her sister that she wouldn’t end up in the hospital like last time. And she had a thousand questions about Vale’s time with Knox and her new status as a combatant, but Zion plucked the phone from her grip, ending the call.

Dismay tickled the back of her neck. “How do you know someone’s here?”

“As long as a combatant isn’t close to another combatant, we can sense the approach of others, the air suddenly electric.” He replaced her house-shoes with tennis shoes, as if she were an invalid. “I planted devices throughout the house. They prevent anyone from portaling inside, and us from portaling out. I’ll have to fight to get us out.”

Her palms sweat. “Why don’t you freeze our uninvited guests? Then we can sneak away.”

“I would if I could. I must recharge.”

So, Zion’s ability to manipulate energy required some kind of internal battery. Good to know.

“I’ll kill everyone, and then sneak you out. Better?”

“Uh...”

He picked her up, carried her to the walk-in closet and sealed her inside the small, darkened space, calling, “Do not exit until I return.” His footsteps sounded, then faded.

Her heart raced faster, faster, and her stomach twisted. She rocked back on her heels. If he got hurt while she hid in the closet like a coward, she would hate herself forever.

If only Bane had agreed to the alliance. They could have guarded the other’s back. Of course, if Zion’s dream was a genuine prediction, an alliance would put Bane in more danger.

Or would it? Earlier, when she’d decided to stay with Zion in order to keep Bane safe, she’d been sick, exhausted, foggy and afraid of her dark side. Now, she had a clearer mind and wondered why she’d entertained so much fear. Dark Nola had never overtaken her before. Why should she believe Dark Nola would ever overtake her?

She shouldn’t. She would continue to control herself, and that was that.

And why should she believe Zion over herself?

Again, she shouldn’t. I won’t let myself harm Bane. Not now, not ever. Which meant they could spend time together!

Not taking time to think this through, she closed her eyes and pictured her golden god. A method that had both worked and failed. Maybe, like Zion, she’d just needed to recharge. She—

—gasped, a tide of warmth flowing over her. For a moment, she felt weightless. Then, the closet vanished and cool air kissed her face as she scanned her new surroundings. A night-darkened forest. A stream of moonlight illuminated Bane, sending shivers down her spine.