“After we’ve heard what they have to say, we’ll decide what happens to them. But we abide by the federal law. Jeremiah is facing multiple murder charges, and Kael is an accessory. There’s also abduction, assault, and a host of other offenses to their names, including attempted bioterrorism.” She nods to the refrigerator full of vials. “As soon as they no longer have Speaking abilities, they’ll be safe to go through the normal judicial system. Make no mistake, the two of them will face the consequences of their actions. And they’ll be facing those consequences for a long, long time.”

I remind myself that it’s nothing less than they deserve, even if a small part of me grieves for the life they’ve thrown away in the name of vengeance.

“As for … As for Christopher,” my mum says, then falters.

Enzo pulls me closer to his side and I see Riley turn solid as tension and sorrow emanate from him.

“We’ll—We’ll move him to a SCARS medical facility and keep him on life support until we’ve all had a chance to—to say a proper goodbye.”

She knows. Somehow, she knows that no matter what machines he’s hooked up to, my dad is gone.

“Then we’ll give him the burial he deserves—the one he should have had nearly three years ago.”

I can only nod again, knowing that anything I say will come out as a croak.

One of the camouflaged Speakers reenters the house and walks up to my mum. He’s taken his ski mask off, revealing the pleasant face of a middle-aged man. He dips his head respectfully to all of us before leaning in to my mother and saying, “There’s a tour group heading this way. We need to move out, or else consider damage control.”

My mum inhales deeply, and in an instant, she transforms from grieving widow to focused leader as she replies, “Let’s grab the serum and wrap things up here. Allocate someone to stay behind and wait for the medi-team to come and collect Vanik’s body and—and Christopher, as well as anything we missed once the tours have ended for the night.”

The man dips his head again. He gives a sharp whistle and two of his companions return to the lab and begin collecting the vials from the refrigerator.

“Not to make this about us,” Cami says, toeing the glass beneath her shoes, “but what are we supposed to do now?”