No panic. No fear. Just an unfortunate resignation to whatever would come next. Part of her believed in Stella—most of her really. A smaller section filled with doubt was ready to start screaming.

When this was over, she would say goodbye, go back home, and delete everything. She wanted nothing to do with Golden Rule or Jewel Van Hanen. If starting over from scratch meant burning everything down, then she’d be a phoenix. Her life had already gone up in flames once before.

Somehow, she survived then. This time would be no different.

“And me,” a voice undoubtedly belonging to Jewel said. “Congratulations. We’ve been expecting you. Please wait right there.”

A finger snap later, the bag was gently lifted from Nicole’s head. Taylor, the staff member she’d met Friday morning, stood in front of her, smiling and brandishing a pair of scissors. “Turn around, please.”

Nicole let her cut the ties.

A dark, round table and nine chairs had been placed in the center of a universe. Just like inside a planetarium, the walls and ceilings and floors moved with the breathtaking realistic images of a shimmering and thriving galaxy. Moons revolved around their planets. Asteroids coasted at their own pace. Enormous colorful clouds pulsated. And surrounding it all were small pinpricks of distant star clusters and burning giants like the sun.

Even though she hated to admit it, she’d always been quietly impressed that someone possessed the kind of creativity needed to design each of the rooms with such care. They were wasteful and they were marvelous.

Jewel sat in one of the chairs at the table, gaze fixed on Alex and Luna, who stood in front of an open door.

Nicole stepped away from the others, moving toward the table. “I’m not a violent person.” She wrapped her hands around the back of the chair, fingers holding the soft leather tightly. “Which is why I’m putting you on notice before this chair meets your face.”

Jewel had the nerve to cackle. “Oh, stop being so serious. Sit down and I’ll explain everything. Everyone, please sit. We have all day, but I’d prefer if it didn’t take that long.”

“Let’s not be brash here. Details first, assault and battery later.” Stella pried Nicole’s fingers loose from the chair. “If you behave, I’ll even think about helping.”

Reluctantly Nicole sat, the weight of Stella’s stare helping her get there faster. It didn’t take long for everyone else to follow. Francis sat on her other side with murder in his eyes too. Gold-colored leather folders had been placed in front of each seat with a fancy ink pen on top. Each one appeared to be a different color—hers was yellow with her name engraved onto the side.