The sparkler grinned at me. “It’s a gorgeous one, Mr. Vainio. Hi there, Ms. Greenwood. How was your weekend?”

“Refreshing. Got through three books on my reading list.” I passed over my ID and did my best to keep my thoughts calm. I had no hostile intentions toward New Millennium. Only toward a few select individuals.

“Only three? You’re slacking.”

Lena stretched past me and winked. “Believe me, he really wasn’t.”

Marion blushed and returned my badge, along with a temporary visitor’s ID for Lena. “New rule from Dr. Palmer. Everyone has to display their ID at all times.”

I checked the visitor’s badge for magic before passing it over. It wasn’t enchanted, but the plastic was thick enough to conceal a tracking chip, or possibly a listening device. Lena clipped it to the bottom of her T-shirt.

While I listed off the magic we were carrying, a human guard emerged from the booth to check the back of the truck. He also dropped flat and shone a flashlight beneath. “All clear.”

“Is everything all right, sir?” That was the empath, a middle-aged vampire with the beard and build of Santa Claus. “You’re pretty anxious.”

“We were listening to the news on the drive,” I said. “The whole world seems to be going to shit. I’m guessing the extra security measures here mean Babs is getting nervous too.”

“It’s ugly out there.” He studied me a moment longer, then waved us through.

Lena tapped her badge and raised one eyebrow.

I brought one finger to my lips. It might be paranoia, but until we knew for certain, paranoia might keep us alive and free.

I parked the truck and climbed out. We walked hand-in-hand, making small talk as we crossed the grounds. “My team has a Monday morning check-in meeting. It shouldn’t take too long. You’re welcome to wander, or you can hang out in Franklin Tower until we’re done. Vince was supposed to be getting a lion cub from Zimbabwe. I don’t know if it’s arrived yet.”

“I definitely have to meet the cub,” said Lena. “How’s Lex doing?”

“She was great when I saw her last week. I need to stop by and see how she’s progressing.”

I smiled and waved to the people we passed, all the while trying to act normal without acting like I was acting. Don’t stare at security personnel, but don’t be too obvious about not staring. Don’t look over my shoulder to see if anyone was following. Don’t talk too much or too loudly. I was overthinking things, and I couldn’t stop.

By the time we made it to the Franklin Research Tower, I’d acquired a whole new level of respect for James Bond and his real-life counterparts.