“Your faith is touching.”

“It’s nothing to do with faith, Isaac. No one is ever truly ready for times like this. We prepare ourselves the best we can, and we march out to face the enemy.”

“I’m not much of a marcher.”

“It was a metaphor.”

“I thought the world would welcome us. Instead, they’ve spent the past year trying to crush us.”

“Never discount hope, Isaac. Especially your own. Your fear is all too human. Accept it, but as you walk this path, let your hope guide you.”

“And what if hope guides me off the edge of a cliff?”

“I said let hope guide you. I never said stop paying attention to where you’re going.”

“YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR fucking mind,” said Deb. “Derek Vaughn was on the committee that passed the RAMPART Act. He’s part of the reason Nicola Pallas and who knows how many others have been rounded up like animals, and you want to ask him for help?”

“Vaughn voted against RAMPART,” Jason pointed out.

“He’s a politician. Isaac and Lena are wanted fugitives. Why the hell would you trust that weasel-dick?”

“Because Nicola has been dating that weasel-dick for the past two months,” I said mildly.

The rest of the room went silent.

Talulah chuckled. “Good for her.”

“Assuming he wasn’t using her to get to the Porters,” Deb said sullenly.

“It doesn’t matter.” I stood up and moved to the center of the living room. “We need Nicola’s help, and he’s the best lead we’ve got for reaching her. You’re right, though. We have to be careful. The less Vaughn knows, the better. Talulah, can you secure a phone line?”

“In my sleep.”

“I’ll make the call,” said Lena. “Derek knows me, and we don’t want to give away that you’re alive.”

“Good.” I checked the list I’d put together over breakfast. “Potts said they were working with people in China, France, Britain, and Afghanistan. Talulah, can you get a message to Shin-Tsu Chang? Give him a heads-up about Kiyoko and McGinley. Who do we know in France, Britain, and Afghanistan?”

“My mother is in Britain,” Jeneta said quietly.

“Tell her to get out.”

“You think McGinley will target his own allies?” asked Nidhi.

“I don’t know! He might attack their enemies instead. China and Japan have been rattling sabers at each other. Maybe he’ll wipe out Tokyo as a favor.” There were too many potential targets, too many possibilities.

“Let me talk to some friends,” said Deb. “Put them on McGinley’s trail. If we can get our claws on him, he’ll tell us everything we need to know.”

“Kiyoko will be protecting him, and he’ll be shielded from magic,” said Lena.

“Can he shield his scent? I know it’s a long shot, but Vanguard has people on the East Coast.”