"Go!" I yelled at Fang. "Go, go!"

"It's a red light, Max," he said flatly.

"Do I look like I give a shit?" I demanded. "We don't have time for this! We need to go home and make sure Devin and Iggy are okay."

We'd only been driving for five minutes, but I was freaking out inside. I mean, a lot can happen in five minutes. And if I went home and found that stupid Brigid had abducted my other kid, well, we were going to have a problem.

Finally, the light changed to green, and Fang hit the gas, pealing across the intersection. I kept my eyes straight ahead, but I wasn't really seeing much, as my mind was racing too fast. I didn't know what I was going to do after we checked on Devin and Iggy, whether they were there or not. Well, obviously I had to go after Gracie. But I had no idea where--

Hello, Max.

I actually yelped, having not heard the Voice invade my brain for three years now. Fang looked over at me as I sat there, holding a hand to my throat. "What is it?"

"Voice," I barely got out before it started talking again.

All your suspicions were absolutely correct, Max. The nightmares were warnings, just like they were three years ago. Brigid was student teaching at your school to get to your kids, and, ultimately, to you.

So what do I need to do? I asked, ready for whatever it took.

Go to the School. Gracie is being held there. This time, Max, you do need to dispose of Mr. Chu.

Despite my intense anger at Mr. Chu for kidnapping my daughter, I didn't feel all that comfortable with actually killing him. I mean… I wasn't a killer. Jeb had told me that, years ago, and it was true.

But then I remembered the last time I saw Mr. Chu, and how I told him that if he attacked my family again, I would get rid of him. He had a second chance, and he blew it. I couldn't risk the well-being of my family any longer.

"What's it saying?" Fang asked, his voice considerably softer as we turned onto our street.

I bit my lip, then looked up. He was looking right into my face, still driving. I sighed and said, "She's at the School."

"I'm going with you this time," Fang said firmly, facing the road again.

I started to protest, then remembered Iggy could stay with the kids and watch them just as well as we could, even though he was blind. Then I remembered what the case had been three years ago: if I died, the rest of the flock, including Fang, would be safe. But this seemed different now that it was a question of Gracie's survival. It seemed like something Fang and I needed to do together.

That's correct, Max. Good job.

I pushed open my door as we pulled into the driveway, hopping out before the car had even stopped. Fang was right on my heels as I hurried up the front steps, assessing the outside of the house for damage-- none so far.

Flinging the screen door open, I ran into the house and yelled, "Iggy? Devin?"

"What?" yelled Iggy irritably. "What are you doing here? I thought I was having my freedom for a few hours!"

"Where's Devin?" I yelled frantically. Fang came up behind me, putting his hands on my shoulders.

"I don't know," Iggy said grouchily, and a moment later he came down the hallway, still in his pajamas, rubbing his eye with his fist. "Why?"

"Devin?" I called, running past Iggy, toward the twins' room. "Devin!"

"Mommy?"

Devin emerged from his room, looking confused, and I swept him up in my arms as soon as I saw him, holding him tight against my chest. I squeezed my eyes shut, savoring this moment with my son, making no move to end it even when I heard Fang come up behind me.

"Mommy," Devin said again, wriggling in my arms. "What's wrong?"

I didn't reply, trying to figure out how to answer. How do you tell your six-year-old that his parents are leaving him and may not come back?

"Dev, Mommy and Daddy have to go somewhere," Fang said, reaching out and ruffling Devin's hair. I looked over my shoulder at him. We met each other's eyes, then nodded grimly: this was what we had to do.

"We have--" I started, but Fang cut me off.

"We were just checking to make sure you weren't giving Iggy any trouble, but we have to go back to work now."

I stared at him. What was he doing?

"Oh, okay," Devin said, cheering considerably. "I've been good today!"

"I know, baby," I said, blinking back tears. After exchanging another look with Fang, I had understood: he was only six. He should be spared this, have his childhood protected, just like Fang had been telling me for so long. This time, I agreed. "I love you."

"Love you too, Mommy."

I passed Devin off to Fang, clinging to him until the last possible second. Fang held his son close, closing his eyes.

"I love you," he murmured, and I almost lost it right there. Fang was getting better, but he still didn't tell the kids he loved them as often as I did. The fact that he was uttering those words, and the way he said it… oh, man.

"Love you too, Daddy," Devin said, and then, not understanding the seriousness of this situation, the weight it held as possibly the last time he would ever see his parents, he pulled back from Fang's embrace, jumped down, and darted back into his room. I watched him sit down and start playing with his toys, making no move to go anywhere until Fang nudged me.

"Come on," he said, and put his arm around my waist to pull me down the hallway.

"What is up with you two?" Iggy asked as he heard our footsteps get close. He had his arms crossed, a grouchy look upon his face. "You're cutting into my beauty sleep."

"Ig, Brigid has Gracie," I said quietly, not wanting Devin to hear us. Understanding immediately dawned on Iggy's face; I'd filled him in on my suspicions of the student teacher the previous night, when he came in to ask what was up with Fang and I. "She's holding her at the School. We're going to get her. You've gotta hold down the fort."

Iggy nodded. "Will do."

Something suddenly occurred to me, something I'd completely forgotten about in all this chaos. "Tell my mom and Ella what happened, and… and let them know I love them."

"Okay."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and hugged him tightly, and he hugged me back. "Take care of everyone."

"I will, Max," he sighed, and lightly kissed the top of my head. Then he gently pushed me back. "Now, go get Gracie and kick Brigid's sorry butt."

I laughed and stepped back so he and Fang could exchange a quick man-hug. Then Fang and I met each other's eyes and came to an agreement: it was time to head out.

There they go!

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