She didn’t flinch. “We, Michael. We. I’m not alone in this. I never have been.” She turned away from him and motioned to the bottom row of Coffins. “This is my army. Those who’ve been by my side from the beginning. Those who trusted my vision and helped me get to this point.” She then swept her arm at the remaining Coffins filling the giant room. “Soon these humans will be under Tangent control. The collateral damage will be significant, I admit. But those who aren’t needed…Well. They aren’t needed anymore.”

“Just tell me!” Michael yelled. “What’re you going to do to them!”

She spun around to face him again, her gaze sharp.

“I’m going to give them the true death,” she said, “these Tangents that people believe Kaine poured into the world. I’m going to kill them all. For the good of our future—a future run by the VNS.”

CHAPTER 18

BLACK GLASS

1

Michael trembled with anger. He felt powerless. He couldn’t even find words to express how he felt.

“Keep him here,” Weber said. “Keep him safe and watch him like a hawk. And whatever you do, do not let that boy near a NerveBox or computer of any kind. Understood?”

“I think we can handle a scrawny teenager.” One of the guards grabbed Michael by the arms and the other man reached up and ripped off Michael’s EarCuff.

Michael bit his lip, refusing to cry out from the pain. He glared at Weber, knowing he should be shocked at what she’d become. But hadn’t he always seen it? Had there ever been a time when he truly trusted her?

“I’m Sinking now,” she announced to no one in particular. “With this final sweep of Tangents, the deal will be sealed. Humanity will credit us for saving them. When I Lift out, the world will be a different place.” She walked toward a Coffin along the nearest wall, one that was actually on a pedestal above the others, with three stairs leading up to it.

“Sweep?” Michael repeated. “Nice word. I think you mean murder. Mass murder.”

Weber manipulated the outside controls of the Coffin and its door began to swing open. She looked over her shoulder at Michael. “Name me a war that doesn’t have collateral damage, inflicted by both sides. It’s part of the game. Setbacks to ensure a leap forward.”

“Game?” Michael didn’t even know why he was wasting his breath. There was no way he could reach her now. “How sick is it that you call this a game?”

“The Game of Lives,” she said, looking almost wistful. “You of all people should appreciate the metaphor. You always were a great gamer, weren’t you?” She glowed like a proud mother.