When they opened again, she stepped into the lobby. She paused a moment and looked around. The place was gorgeous. The ceiling soared thirty feet overhead, and was painted to look like outer space. Stars literally twinkled with tiny lights, forming recognizable constellations. Models of planets were suspended on invisible wires, seeming to float in the air. The floor of the lobby was made from black marble shot through with milky streaks of white, and as Six walked across it to the reception desk, she felt like she was walking across the sky.

“Welcome to the Saturn,” a smiling young man said when she reached the desk. “I’m Mike. How can I be of service?”

“I need a phone,” Six replied.

“Certainly,” Mike said. “There’s a courtesy phone right through there.” He indicated a doorway to the right of the reception area.

Six thanked him and walked over to the alcove where a phone was attached to the wall. Picking it up, she dialed. Lexa picked up on the second ring.

“Hey, you’ll never guess where I am.”

CHAPTER TWO

MAX

POINT REYES, CALIFORNIA

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE it out?”

Max stared at Nine. They were in the infirmary at the Human Garde Academy, where they had returned the previous night after escaping from the bunker in Utah using the bathysphere Nine had found. Ever since getting back, Max had been the focus of tests to figure out what was in his head. Scientists at the school had also been studying the creature that Nemo had brought in a jar. Max hadn’t slept at all, and was exhausted. Now, finding out that they weren’t going to remove the parasite that was inside him, he got even more frightened.

“Am I going to die?”

“No!” Nine said, coming and sitting on the edge of Max’s bed. “In fact, that’s why they want to leave it in you. At least for now.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Your body seems to be forming antibodies to the parasite,” Nine explained. “It’s fighting back on its own.”

“Is that why I’ve been feeling better?” Max asked.

“Do something for me,” Nine said. “Try to move the glass on your tray using your telekinesis.”

Max looked at the tray sitting on the table beside his bed. It held the dishes left over from his breakfast. He focused his attention on the cup that a short time ago had been filled with orange juice. He pictured it flying across the room. Nothing happened. He lifted his hands and, feeling a little silly, pretended to push the glass while simultaneously trying to shove it with his mind. The glass moved a few inches, then toppled over.

“Well, that sucked,” Max said glumly.

“Not at all,” said Nine. “Last night, you couldn’t do anything.”

Max grinned. “True,” he said. “So, they think I’m getting better?”

Nine nodded. “They think you’re going to be fine. Even better, they think they can use your blood to make an antiserum that will help Six and Sam.”