The lights were on in the library. I grabbed one of my notebooks, tore out a page, and folded a quick paper airplane. I sighted past the shelves and threw.

A moment later, Jason Latona stepped into view. He picked up the airplane and looked around in confusion.

“Can he see the portal from his side?” asked Lena.

Jason jumped and spun. “Lena? Where are you?”

“Vegas.”

“Hi, Jason!” I said. “Remind me, have you ever met my brother and his family? Would you like to?”

“Your friend Deb said you might be bringing company, but she neglected the details.”

I helped Lex toward the portal. “Sit here. I’m going to lower you through. You’re going to meet a friend of mine.”

Jason stood with his head cocked to one side, studying the barefooted legs that seemed to protrude straight out of the air at his chest level. “You know, Isaac, one of the reasons I took a job up here was because the U.P. is supposed to be quiet and relaxing.”

“Oh, bullshit. This was the only library that would take you as director.”

“You shouldn’t say that word,” said Lex.

“You’re right. It’s much more grown-up to say ‘bovine feces’ or ‘taurus excrement.’”

“Isaac, do you mind?” said Angie.

“Sorry.” I lifted Lex by the arms. “This is going to feel weird, but Mr. Latona will catch you, okay?”

She bit her lip, but nodded.

I winked and lowered her through. Just as she disappeared, Smudge erupted in flame. Lena drew her bokken and whirled to face the door.

“Angie, Toby, get out of here.” I grabbed books from my jacket. The instant Toby and Angie made it through to Copper River, I seized the text of the gateway and prepared to tear it apart.

The door shattered inward. Kiyoko Itô entered the room and promptly stumbled back from the punch Lena landed on the bridge of her nose. Blood spattered from Kiyoko’s nostrils, but she didn’t appear to care. Babs Palmer stood behind her, the magic of her rings and tattoos humming like electrical lines.

I couldn’t tell whether this was the same Kiyoko I’d seen outside of Babs’ office or another clone. She wore a skullcap of electrodes and copper wire. She cocked her head to one side, and the sprinkler system came on. Strobe lights flashed from the corners of the ceiling.

Lena lunged. Kiyoko twisted, but the wooden sword stabbed through her side. She reached out to catch Lena’s wrist. Before Lena could twist free, Kiyoko snapped a kick to her chest. Lena fell, and Kiyoko staggered back.

The falling water outlined Lena’s body.

That was all Kiyoko needed. Her right hand gripped the bokken protruding from her side. With her left, she pulled a black pistol from a holster in the small of her back and squeezed off four shots in quick succession.