“If it works and we find out where the last artifact is being kept,” Taeyo continues, “we have a real shot at stopping the prophecy. And of course, we could save your sister, too.”

I bite my lip. Taeyo’s idea may have legs, but it’s not worth putting Emmett through potential devastation to risk it. He’s been through enough already.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I start. “We don’t—”

“I’ll do it,” Emmett interrupts.

I reach over and squeeze his arm. “You don’t have to do this. We can find another way.”

He turns to me and shakes his head. “I made a decision yesterday that I’d find justice for my mom. If this is how I have to do it, then so be it.” He exhales loudly and squeezes Boris to his chest.

“Are you sure?” I ask quietly. What if you don’t like what you hear?

He nods. “We’re doing this.”

Taeyo adjusts his bow tie. “Great news!”

A thought pops into my mind. “Have you ever tried finding your parents?” I ask Taeyo.

“Yes,” he says, then shakes his head sadly. “But you can’t find a gwisin who doesn’t want to be found. I like to think they both made it to the Spiritrealm. That way, maybe one day I’ll meet them again. Even if they wouldn’t technically be my parents anymore.”

I nod. The gifted believe that once you die and go to the Spiritrealm, you have the chance to be reborn into a new life. Some request to be reborn near their living loved ones, and they can even come back as a family member or close friend. They don’t remember anything from their past life, but at times a bond can be so strong that even without the memories the love is still there.

I wonder if my biological parents are somewhere in the Spiritrealm waiting to be reborn. Or perhaps they’re still here on Earth, waiting for someone to help them finish their unfinished business.

It’s like Taeyo’s read my mind. “We can try finding yours, too, Riley, if you like.”

I don’t nod, but I don’t disagree, either. I just swallow the lump in my throat. I’m not sure I could be as brave as Emmett. I couldn’t handle that kind of reunion right now.

“So how do we do this?” Emmett asks. “Please don’t tell me we have to go somewhere haunted and creepy.”

“No creepy haunted places,” Taeyo assures him. “We just have to find the best restaurant in town.”

“Huh?” I scowl. Is he wanting to grab a bite right now? This is not the time to be thinking about food.