Five weeks ago, I didn’t have any control. I couldn’t summon light or protective shields or invisibility. I couldn’t levitate people or stop them in their tracks. I couldn’t create lettuce sandwiches or turn an entire cavern into a replica of the night sky.

He’s right—five weeks ago, I hated my ability.

But now, I’ve grown to depend on it. To appreciate it. To enjoy it.

… it’s important to embrace your power … It’s just as much a part of you as your arm or leg.

Cami’s words echo through my mind, and I know that she was right. Speaking is a part of me. And the idea of losing it …

“Things have changed,” I croak out, not even sure why I’m bothering. It’s not like I’m really talking to Ward—my Ward. “If Vanik is a Creator, I need to be able to—”

“You seem very obsessed with Vanik.”

I frown. “Of course I am. If you were your normal self right now, you would be, too.”

“I like to think I’d be considering the bigger picture. The greater threat.”

The genetically engineered Speaker army.

He has a point.

But if Vanik is leading them, then he’s still the person we need to stop. And if we don’t find him before my twenty-four hours are up—which I assume started the second I was injected—then I’m going to be of no help to anyone. At least, not supernaturally.

“Why are you being so forthcoming about all this?” I ask, squinting at Ward through the glass.

He gives a careless shrug. “I was ordered to give you enough information to scare you, without giving everything away. This is me simply doing what I’ve been told.”

“You make it sound like you intended for us to bring you here.”

A dark smile flits across his face. “That is how it sounds, isn’t it?”

More mind games. I really hate this Manning-controlled version of Ward.

“You should be thanking me, you know,” Ward continues. “Everything I’ve shared—consider it a gift from my master to you.”

I shudder. “Stop calling him that. It’s disturbing.”

Another shrug from him. “That’s what he is.”

“Manning is not your master, Ward.”

A pause, and then his green eyes settle on me. “I wasn’t referring to Dr. Manning. I told you earlier today that his ability isn’t strong enough to overpower mine—why would I obey his commands?”

The question is rhetorical, yet it still leaves me staring at him in confusion.

Even if I have trouble believing anything this version of Ward claims, I can’t forget that Vanik also said Manning’s power couldn’t affect him. But he’s clearly under someone’s control. Who else—

I close my eyes as comprehension hits me. “Let me guess: a powerful enough Creator could override your own ability.”