“Thanks,” I said, giving a Sonya a small hug. “I’ll keep checking in with her. Let me know if she wakes in the real world.”

The dream dissolved, and I returned to my own sleep, surprising myself when I slept in to almost noon at Howie’s. When I woke, another meal of junk food followed. I’d never wanted a salad so much in my life. I also learned from Marcus that Sabrina had sent an update from the Warriors’ compound. They were all inside and safe, and so far, their cover was holding.

That news got me through the day until evening came around, and an unknown car pulled up outside our safe house. I could see Marcus starting to freak out until I recognized Neil in the driver’s seat.

“Jackie Terwilliger sent me to fetch you,” he explained. “I helped get her out earlier and shake the Alchemists who were watching her house. She’s getting things ready for Alicia now.”

At the mention of Alicia’s name, his expression darkened. She had that effect on people. “I’m kind of surprised I get to be the ‘lucky’ one to witness her interrogation,” he added. “But with Eddie off on some mission, and Rose and Dimitri doing something mysterious at Clarence’s, I’m the only free guardian around.”

“Did you talk to Rose and Dimitri?” I asked casually.

“I saw them,” said Neil. “And your mum. I stopped by this morning. That’s a cute little fellow she’s taking care of, by the way. Is he part of the reason Rose and Dimitri are sticking around? I got the impression Rose really would have liked to come with me.”

I hesitated. Neil still didn’t know that he was a father—or that the girl he loved was dead. It was a huge, burning secret he deserved to know, but again, I was struck by the poor timing. I certainly wasn’t going to bring it up in front of Marcus. And it didn’t really seem right to mention it as a “by the way” en route to interrogating Alicia.

“It’s a long story,” I said simply. “I’ll fill you in later.”

“Fair enough,” said Neil. Guardians were used to secrets and a need-to-know basis. He could take it stride—though he also didn’t realize that this secret hit so close to home.