Leo set the rock he’d been holding on the console next to the core of V, its pale yellow surface drab and dull against the element’s blue-hearted brilliance. “This was your choice.”

He was halfway out the door when Crayt stopped him. “Leo, wait.”

He turned to see the Aykari staring at the datachip in his hands.

“There is one more thing you should know.”

He couldn’t breathe.

He had his inhaler, had taken a hit from it, and he still couldn’t. The monster had clawed its way into his chest, split his ribs, and now had both of his lungs in its grip. The darkness crept in at the edge of his vision, thick as the clouds that mushroomed up in the distance, billowing from downtown Los Angeles.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He didn’t want to believe.

“She’s not answering!”

Leo’s father pressed a button on the console, hanging up. The radio instantly kicked back on.

“Reports are coming in from all over the world. Missiles launched from outside Earth’s atmosphere, penetrating the planet’s orbital defenses. Many of them have been intercepted, but many more managed to get through, striking cities all across the globe. The devastation is enormous. The death toll climbing. People are being told to seek shelter, to stay in their homes. . . .”

Leo scrunched down, head spinning. His brother was riding shotgun but had twisted around, leaning over the back of the seat, one hand on Leo’s knee.

“Stay calm, Leo. Just shut your eyes. Don’t even look at it, okay?”

Leo did what he was told, but he could still see it. Could still hear it. The flash. The roar.

The radio cut off as Dr. Fender dialed again.

Leo listened to the digital trill. To the wailing sirens. To the angry blast of horns. A screech of tires as someone disengaged their autodrive and went off the road. Leo shivered. His swimsuit was mostly dry, but his back beaded with cold sweat. He couldn’t stop his legs from quivering. He couldn’t get his lungs to work. He couldn’t form words. All he could do was stare out the window at that dense cloud and count the number of rings until the recording kicked in.

“Hi. You’ve reached Grace Fender. Leave me a message and I’ll get right back to you.”

“Grace. Gracie. Please pick up. . . . If you get this, call me back immediately. We’re on the four oh five. We’re trying to get to you, but traffic is a mess. It’s absolute chaos out here. Please, please, please call me back. Let me know you’re okay.”

Leo had never heard his father sound so desperate.

Through the window an endless line of cars stretched all the way to the city and back. One side, those fleeing, fearing for their lives. The other side—their side—headed straight into the fire. Two fighter jets streaked overhead, the rumble of their engines making the car shake. Somewhere behind him Leo could just make out the whip of helicopter blades.