Kaine folded his hands in his lap. “If we’re going to talk, let’s not waste time. Okay? How about we agree on that first. You know very well that was just another of Weber’s shows. I’d be insulted if I couldn’t plainly see in your eyes that you know that wasn’t me. After everything I’ve done, I’d be very upset if you thought I’d actually fall into that trap.”

“Fair enough” it was Michael’s turn to say. “I had to at least ask the question. I don’t think anyone else could get past that crypting I put on my message, and I never believed it was you at the summit. This is you.”

Kaine gave a slow nod of acknowledgment. “Then I ask again—why am I here?”

A nervous tingle in Michael’s chest had slowly grown into a monstrous buzz that made it hard to breathe. “I…I guess I just got to my breaking point. Ever since all this started—way back when Weber first contacted me and sent me on the Path…I’ve felt like a pawn. A guinea pig. A lamb sent to the slaughter, or whatever that old phrase is. And I want to know once and for all—why me? What’s the point?”

“So you brought me in to complain?” Kaine asked. “Complaints noted.”

Michael was glad Kaine went the sarcasm route, because it was just enough to tick him off and dampen the nervousness. “See? That right there,” he said, pointing at Kaine. “I’m sick of that crap. Just talk to me like a normal person. You know I have every right to be here and to be heard. If you would just treat me with some respect and hear what I have to say without trying to intimidate me!” By the time he finished speaking, he was practically shouting, his face red.

To Kaine’s credit, he remained calm. He simply shrugged humbly. “Well spoken,” he answered. “I’m here, aren’t I? I’ll listen to what you have to say. Consider me madly curious.”

Michael nodded, satisfied. “All right, then. From here on out I’m doing things my way. I have a lot of questions, and I have a lot of ideas.”

Kaine didn’t say a word, but his focus was strong, his eyes sharp.

Michael nodded again, as if to convince himself he was on the right track. “So, first things first. I want you to tell me everything about this…immortality. And why? What are your motives?”

Kaine shifted his position, leaning closer to Michael. “I’ll talk to you, but answer me one question: why now?”

Michael didn’t hesitate. “Because you and I have to stop the VNS.”

CHAPTER 14

THE VISION

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