Jason pressed the phone against his ear to steady it. His hands were still shaking. It was one thing to see static images like that of the agent who'd been tortured to death or be in an interrogation room like he had been yesterday. But to see—to be in—the same kind of room—hands bound above his head, whip thwacking down on his back…blood trickling down his skin….

He shuddered. At least his experience had stopped where he'd stopped the video, although Ana hadn't been able to escape it—he wished someone could've rescued her in time. It was a good thing Gray was on the weapons trafficking angle, rather than the human trafficking angle—he doubted he'd be able to withstand watching such things, despite his bravado. Although his expertise would've been welcome in this investigation…. He hoped he could rescue the others before it was too late…

The phone kept ringing. Perhaps Markov wasn't available. It was midday, after all, and he was the deputy director.

Jason was about to hang up when Markov answered. "Hello, Jason. How's the investigation?"

He had to think for a second, get into professional mode rather than immersed in the horrors of the past. "Um… I'm working on the online angle right now."

"Found anything interesting?"

"Well, not exactly. Just—" He hesitated. "A video of Ana, a formerly trafficked girl we met yesterday."

"Tied to Yavesh?"

"Not sure. We're working on it."

"The online angle's even trickier than the regular angle—all you have to do is change usernames and you're anonymous again. Takes years to find anything concrete sometimes. But you never know if a small detail could be important. I prefer to do my investigations in the real world—tends to get better results. Not so much with Yavesh—they're almost as slippery in real life. I've got some bait on a hook, though. Thanks to you."

"What do you mean?"

"You may not have been able to finish what you started, but we were."

His heart sank. "You tortured him."

"Not exactly. Well, we were pretty hard on him. We had to get his façade to crack, after all. You gave us the hint that we needed to be a little rougher than we are on our typical guests. Push our ethics to the limits because nothing matters as much as catching these scumbags. When we saw he wasn't what he appeared, we had to take advantage of our first real lead in weeks. And so we put him through our harshest regimen and went a little further…. Don't worry, Jason. We only took it to PG-13 level violence. We did feel it efficacious to strip him, make it that much harder to keep up a front as he had no external trappings to hide in. Kept him awake with frequent interruptions. Gave him a…cold bath, shall we say."

Horror spread over Jason's skin. He hated the fact he'd sparked this angle of interrogation and hated that they were again discussing the subject he wished he could escape from. "One person's enhanced interrogation is another person's torture."

"We're not going to rehash that argument, Jason. Thanks to your initial outburst, we kept up the irregular assaults mixed with calm periods and meals to keep him guessing. Little by little, his mask fractured and we were able to get glimpses of the man beneath. Only glimpses, mind you, because he is good. He kept up his innocence act till the end."

"You didn't—"

"No, Jason, we didn't kill him. Quite the opposite, actually. We found out just enough to know what he really is, without letting on we knew. And then we set him free."

"Why would you do that?"

"As bait, to catch bigger fish. Now we're sending our agents to track him and bug each place he frequents. With any luck, he won't discover us and we'll find ties to the Yavesh leadership. If it happens, I hope you'll be gratified to know you were a small part of it.

"Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"I was just calling because…" For a second he forgot what his intentions were because he'd been so shaken by Markov's revelations. "I was wondering if…. The girl, Ana. She's been recovering for the past two years and now she wants to help others who were enslaved. Fight Yavesh by joining the security service."

"How old is she?"

"Sixteen. Not old enough, I know, but she wondered if there was someone in your agency…. Someone who could mentor her until she was ready to join."

"We'd have to assess her aptitude first."

"She's got the passion for it."

"You know as well as I do that passion, while helpful, can't be the only criteria in an agent. And I hesitate to take on someone who may have deep psychological issues."

"I think… she does still have PTSD. But she's come a long way. And she's strong. She pushes through her fear."

"That is an important attribute…not letting your emotions dictate your actions. I may take a look at her. Not personally, probably, but send an agent to assess her. I do owe you something since you helped break Wil. It may take me some time, as it's not exactly a priority, but I'll schedule it so it doesn't slip through the cracks."

"Thank you. One more thing— would you be able to assign her a woman? She was able to speak to me, but she's still tentative around men. It could affect her adversely, and it's what she requested."

"She's got to get over that if she's to work with us."

"I understand that, but she's still recovering. It was men who abused her. If we could not hit her with everything all at once, she'd have more of a chance."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks."

"Consider us even. If there's nothing else, I have a prisoner to release."

"Nothing else for now…"

"Good. Let me know if you find anything important."

Jason sat back, feeling rather drained, but gratified by the fact that Ana was closer to being able to achieve her dreams.

"So, he's going to help her?" said Connie.

Jason nodded. "He's going to see if an agent's available as a mentor. There has to be a woman agent there who can do it—unless he wants to try to toughen her up from the start. That would be a mistake, but something I can see him trying."

"I hope not!"

"It might slow her progress. But I think she's strong enough to not let it permanently set her back."

"Should we call and tell her?"

"Maybe we should wait. I hate to get her hopes up in case it falls through or doesn't happen for a while…. I don't want her to be caught off guard either. So I may have to occasionally pester Markov about it. That way, we can let her know before an agent shows up."

His heart still felt weighed down by guilt from his outburst yesterday. He'd asked God's forgiveness, but it didn't take away the fact he'd done something wrong. And now Markov had followed his lead… The internal security agents were responsible for their own actions. But Jason wasn't absolved of responsibility, either. For causing a man's pain. Even if that man were a worthless waste of breath….

He supposed he should tell Connie, too. No secrets between them.

She looked at her phone; it was 11:30. "Lunch is noon right?"

"Twelve-thirty."

"So we have time to go back to our room." She stood, shoved her phone into her pocket, grabbed her iPad.

"Before we do, I want to tell you something. I…don't want to keep things from you."

She looked startled. "What is it?"

He told her of the interrogation the day before. How that man had torn through his resolve. How he'd lost control. He'd thought he was over such things—losing the sharp edge of his impulsivity, learning to leave vengeance to God.

"I—suppose I thought I was above falling in that way. This taught me I can't rely on what I think I've learned—it can all fall apart in a moment. Every time I start relying on myself…." He gave a rueful smile.

She laid her hand on his arm, her eyes brimming with sympathy. "I don't know if…after what I've seen, I might feel like hitting someone. I…still kind of do."

"It's not wrong to feel anger for what they've done. What is wrong is…relying on that anger. I actively sought anger to give me strength and it—took over. It felt like strength but really…only exposed my weakness."

"So we shouldn't punish them? Protect people from them…."

She looked out the window, the garden reflecting in her eyes, enhancing their color, and revealing the anguish in them.

"Maybe—I don't know—we let the anger drive us toward a solution but we don't rely on it. We don't let it control us. There's a time to use force, and a time to—wait, and work out the next steps. Not just go blundering in—like I've done too many times. And we don't become the enemy we're fighting."

"You think that…Markov's become that?"

"I don't think he ever could totally descend to their level. But he's…pushing things a bit too far. We have to bring down Yavesh—but there has to be a better way. We have to protect the innocent. Sometimes that means using violent methods. But they should be a last resort. And we should be at least as…as willing to go into danger as to expose the 'bad guys' to it…."

His heart thumped hard at the last statement. Was he willing to sacrifice himself for these kids? Or…would he rather stay with Connie…it was for her sake, not just his. There were others with more expertise, who weren't agents past their prime….

I can't go into danger. Why should I? When I've just begun to repair my relationship with Connie…. When we have a possible future with a new child….

You could trust God to keep you safe. That he knows what's best—even if it means…. He didn't let the inner voice finish that statement.

They headed back to their room. Connie flopped down on the bed onto her back and he flopped down beside her, facing the window.

"I'm worn out and the day isn't even half over yet," she said.

"That was…more than I expected. It's… well, for me, it was almost like I was there—" He swiped his hand across his eyes, trying to rid himself of the horrific visions that crowded in on his mind. The twinges that sliced their way into his back. The violent twist of phantom pain in the nail scars in his hand.

Connie grasped his arm gently. "Hey. It's okay. I'm here."

Her green eyes drew him in, inviting, allowing him to immerse in them and dissolve his pain in their soothing depths….

She softly kissed the bridge of his nose. Her lips felt heavenly.

She lifted away but he grasped her arm. "Don't stop. Unless you want to."

"I…wasn't sure what you wanted," she said, sitting up and facing the window.

He hated that they always had to be in this space, awkwardly dancing around the main issue, never quite in sync. Never quite healed, although he wished they would be all that they were before, no memory of that dark period that had interrupted their bliss. Not to forget Jeremiah… no, he couldn't go that far. Although… to forget the pain… if there was a way…. At least a way to dissolve this tension! She'd seemed like she was over it this morning, but now the tension was an invisible wall. Maybe…hopefully…when the birth control kicked in…. but at the same time, he knew that pain couldn't just go away overnight. Even if this adoption went through… she—they'd both still feel the lingering shadow of grief for the one they'd lost.

"I always want you," he said. Then wondered if it implied he was guilt-tripping her for not always wanting him…but he couldn't lie.

She hung her head, her hair curtaining her face, and he wanted to touch her, but wasn't sure what she wanted. "Jason…I'm sorry," she said, so softly he could hardly hear her, but could hear the brokenness in her voice.

He sat up beside her, his arm not quite touching hers, but so close he could feel the heat emanating from it. He clenched his hands into tight fists to avoid reaching out to her. "I'm here. No matter what."

She fell into his arms and clung to him, her head on his shoulder. She shook as if sobbing but he wasn't sure if she was crying or not and when she lifted her face, it was dry of tears. Her eyes burned with a fierce, undying light. "Jason, I love you so, so much." She pressed her lips to his and he met her passion with his own. He trembled—could this be happening? He wanted her desperately but—

She pushed him down onto the bed, her lips finding fiery purchase over his jaw, his neck…. He yearned to know her deeper, to love stronger than ever, to show his love. But—there was something…even if she seemed to want this… it might not be what was best…. He struggled to remember amid her frenzied kisses. Finally together again without inhibitions, beyond that first night that already seemed like too long ago…

He didn't want to hurt her feelings—and didn't want to interrupt something so wonderful. But he slid away just a little and hated the fact he'd caused the hurt that flashed through her eyes.

He grasped her arms, letting the fire tremble through him, communicate his love.

"I just—I have to know. Do you really want this?"

"Jason—nothing else matters."

"But…if you'd regret it later…."

"I'd never regret this. Being with you. I never should've…." Her voice caught and she looked away. Her eyes narrowed. She sighed and sat back, but still cuddled close to him, her hand on his chest. "I suppose…I did sort of resolve to… to wait." The infinite disappointment in her voice gratified him. "You're just so—so amazing and…." She shook her head, hugged her knees. "It's just that…maybe it's a silly excuse that doesn't matter anymore. Now that…the pain's dulled enough. But…I can't just think about myself. If…if we're going to adopt…I mean, it might be hard to be first time parents. I'll love the baby but it won't be easy. And if we have another baby a few months later, how can we do this baby justice? It still seems a flimsy reason to wait, but …maybe I would regret it later. Not this—but… it'll only be a few more days anyway. Then we can be sure. Or sure enough. And then—" Her eyes caught his. "It'll be our second honeymoon. We'll be here in this beautiful place, and when the case is over we won't even have that to interrupt…" She caressed his arm, and it tingled under her fingertips. She softly touched his face, and he closed his eyes and leaned into the gentle pressure. Longing for her—but conceding her point.

He sat up, feeling hollowed out, yet a throb of anticipation in his heart. To be alone with her for hours… days… he would never get tired. Never not want to be with her. Totally in harmony, body and soul.

"I suppose we better get ready for lunch," she said, not especially enthusiastically.

He stood, straightening his shirt. Her hair was tousled. It looked stunning, but not quite ready for a dinner in the palace. He supposed he probably looked a bit of a mess too… He went into the bathroom and sure enough, his hair was sticking up in all directions. He smoothed it out, smiling in reminiscence at what had caused its state of disarray.

When he came out, Connie was fixing her hair in the small mirror on the wall. She turned to look at him. "Jason, will you pray with me?"

"Sure."

"I think… I'm almost thinking of the adoption as a foregone conclusion and…maybe I shouldn't. Anyway, I need to ask God's will and help and I think it's best if we… do it together as we'd be adopting together."

They knelt down by the bed and held hands, her fingers tight in his. And they prayed about the potential adoption, and for Nika, and for Ana and Ben, and the other kids trapped in slavery. And they prayed for Whit, for his safe journey, and for Sierra, and Gray and Tasha, and for the king and queen and Prince James and Luna and her family. Connie prayed that she wasn't pregnant already and Jason cringed with sympathy yet hated that she still felt that way, that if a baby were already stirring inside her she'd be less than thrilled. She'd love it but…it would still be a source of pain…. At least she was excited about the potential adoption, although Jason was concerned that if she put too much of her hopes into it, and they were dashed, that she might…fall back into darkness…. Dread clutched his heart at the thought. He'd do everything in his power to make sure the adoption went through. But if it wasn't God's will… there was nothing he could do. And if they ended up having two at once, well…God knew how much they could handle.

They headed off to lunch. Since it was past 11:30, Jason fully expected them to be late. But when they stepped into the dining room, only Darya was there. She was standing with her cell phone in her hand and dialing a number. She listened for a moment while it rang and then hung up with a sigh of frustration. Then she saw them lingering in the doorway. "Oh—I'm sorry, I didn't mean to neglect my guests."

"We just got here," said Jason. "I wasn't sure if we were intruding…."

"No, not at all. I was just calling my husband, who hasn't come in yet. It isn't like him. And it's not like him not to answer. Especially with…everything going on." She slipped her phone into the pocket of her flowy green pants. Her hair was swirled up into an elegant bun with wisps of her golden hair dangling next to her silver earrings.

She sat down and gestured for them to do the same.

"James isn't answering either," she said. "He has been feeling especially discouraged about Luna. Rod should be here at least. He'd probably want us to start without him, but I don't necessarily want to encourage leaves of absence during such a time…."

"If it's us you're worried about," said Jason, "We don't mind." He looked at Connie, who nodded. "If you'd rather wait, we're okay with that too."

"Oh, I don't want you to go hungry because of his negligence." Her face fell. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound harsh. It's just that…we're all under a lot of pressure. And I feel like I must hold my family together."

"I understand. I don't know exactly what it's like, but I do know what it's like to have someone I care about kidnapped. It does things to you, turns you into things you didn't realize…."

Connie slid her hand over his. "Jason was kidnapped….three times. More than I like to think about." She looked at Darya. "I hope she's okay. We prayed for her, just before we came in here. And for you."

"Thank you. That means a lot."

"God knows where Luna is," said Jason. "She's in his hands."

"Whether He wants to take her away from us is another story…." She looked away, and a tear streaked down her cheek, silver in the light from the window.

"Don't lose hope. If there's anything we can do…."

"You have your own case to worry about."

"I hate to think of it—but it could have connections with Yavesh, which we're investigating. And if there are any other clues, we'd be happy to look into them."

She shook her head. "There's not much to do… the trail's run cold." Her voice was heavy with grief. "There isn't even any evidence on the video cameras. It's like she vanished into thin air. If that's not evidence of Yavesh—" Her voice caught.

"All the more reason to work as hard as I can on this." His throat tightened. He clenched his fists and anger swept through him. "I'm going to do everything I can to bring them down."

He caught Connie's gaze out of the corner of his eye and a look of dismay crossed her face. Didn't she want to do all she could too? But then…he hadn't exactly consulted her about it. He wasn't sure how much he'd decided. How far would he really go into danger? When it came down to it, would he—should he— risk everything? Abandon his family… was that what God even wanted or was he just letting his emotions dictate his actions? Should he listen to his doubts at all if it came down to self-sacrifice? Should he just trust God and not worry about it ahead of time? Was it always right to self-sacrifice or could even that at times be selfish? How could he weigh Connie's needs against the needs of others? In any case, he wasn't avoiding danger because he was afraid, or trying to avoid pain, although he certainly didn't want to run headlong into it after finding out what it truly was like to have your humanity stripped from you.

God wouldn't really want me to abandon Connie, would he? I would just have to trust that he would bring me back to her. Safely. Though not necessarily unscathed. Now, if something put Connie in danger, that would be another matter. And then there is the possibility of her pregnancy…. And the possibility of adoption… where do our children fit in?

A thrill ran through him with the thought— "our children". Oh, how he wanted them, adopted or biological…. A little baby to hold in his arms, after that possibility had been ripped from him two months ago….

Darya ushered the servants in and they served the food. Jason was just about to shove a chunk of steak into his mouth when the main door opened and the sound of bootsteps echoed through the palace. A few moments later, Roderick appeared, flanked by two camo-clad guards. The king's hair was windswept. He wore a black T-shirt and rather worn jeans, though they were tailored and the belt was finely tooled to match his boots. He sat down at the head of the table.

"Sorry about that," he said.

"You do have guests, you know," said Darya.

"We don't mind," said Jason.

"We really don't," said Connie.

Darya raised her eyebrow. "It's not setting the best precedent."

"I just lost track of the time. The best place to clear your head is outside, where everything is simpler…. I should defy convention and do more of my work out there. Perhaps we would be further along than we are. I've been denying my nature for so long that I forget that perhaps some things I should not have cut from myself so hastily…. Now, things are changing. I'm going to do things differently."

"In what way?"

"I want to implement some of the things you suggested. To start with, I want to form an elite task force whose sole goal is to find Luna. The team will be small, swift, expert enough to move through shadows. And work seamlessly together as a single unit. They will navigate through the crime underworld without being tainted by it. I should have formed it the day she disappeared, but…my mind has been in disarray since then."

"Perhaps they can make up for lost time."

"I'm giving them significant leeway, but it is provided for in the delineation of my powers. It's about time I used all the tools at my disposal. At the same time, they'll work within the law, if on its borders. They'll have authorization to defend themselves and innocents. But nothing that can be construed as assassination. In addition, I will implement sweeping changes meant to smooth the transition to democracy. True democracy, without an authoritarian ruler."

"This isn't exactly the time—"

"A strong country is one with a strong democracy. We're halfway there. The people have to learn to walk on their own without assistance. They already know how—they just don't know it yet. I have a three-pronged plan. To bolster the rights of minorities. To strengthen the weak patches in the economy. And to hit organized crime where it hurts so they have no choice but to leave our country alone. It's a tall order, I know." He looked around at each of them. "But it's a beginning. With a strong team, we have a good chance of pounding out the essence of the plan in time for the next session of Parliament in September."

"This all sounds wonderful. But—are you sure you can concentrate on it now?"

"I have to. For Luna's sake. Part of what I implement will help her. If not, then others like her. I also want to accelerate my abdication."

"Rod—"

"I know, it looks like I'm leaving the country vulnerable. But not with a strong leader at its head. I have several candidates for interim successor….

"One thing I haven't let go of—what I can't let go of—is the love of my family. I won't let this be a choice again— my family or my country. If I gave myself up to save Luna, the country would be headless without certain measures in place. It has to be a smooth transition. I'll work alongside the successor and together we'll guide the country toward democracy. Elections are long overdue. But the country needs a strong leader as well. There's a careful balance between order and chaos, freedom and security.

"And there are some lines we will not cross, because to follow the path of injustice while pursuing justice is to defeat its purpose. So, no extrajudicial killings, no harsh interrogations. I've got to have guidelines in place that will prevent unnecessary violence. Because there is usually another way. And there is almost always a more effective way." He looked at Jason. "I'm sure you'll agree."

Jason nodded, wondering if he'd heard about the day before from James, but then realizing he probably just meant that he'd experienced the harsh kind and wasn't likely to be in favor of it. He supposed he should tell the king about what had happened, including the fact that Markov was getting a little overzealous in his pursuit of justice…

"As long as it works," said Darya. "I hesitate to deny any method if it has the possibility of making a difference."

He narrowed his eyes. "Dar, sometimes I think I don't know you as well as I thought."

"It's just that—I wouldn't want to rule anything out when it comes to finding Luna."

"I'm tempted to do that too. To implement martial law and crush organized crime. But we have to resist that temptation if we want our country to survive with its soul intact."

Admiration sparked in her eyes. "Whatever you wish. You are king."

"Yes, I am." His flashed her a smile.

Then his expression sobered. "Isn't James out of his room yet?"

"Not since breakfast."

He looked down at the untouched food on his plate. "It's really tearing him up inside—more than any of us. To love like that—" He looked at Darya. "If I would have lost you…. like I almost did…. It would have destroyed me. We can't let that happen to James. We can't let him fall into shadow…." He shook his head, anguish in his eyes. "There has to be a happy ending. If—when—we get her back, I think I may reconsider his request."

"Which one?"

"To marry. I know, they're young. But I don't think it's some passing infatuation—I've seen the look in his eyes. How this tears him apart. She'll be traumatized, whatever's happened. A bond so strong—perhaps it's best that it's given all power possible. It'll help them heal. And they've already suffered enough— it's only fair we give them the means to be as close as they long to be."

"They're not even eighteen yet."

"We'll be here to guide them. They can live in the palace during the transition, anyway. It's better than them being cut off from each other for weeks on end or meeting up and letting their passions get the better of them before they're bound by commitment and accountability. That can destroy a relationship as much as bind it."

"Perhaps…you're right. To go through so much— they'll need a reward to help temper their suffering."

"I only hope the worst doesn't happen. That she's…taken from us. Or her suffering is so great she—I don't want to imagine the things that could happen to her, but even if she survives, the happy ending might not…ever happen. If Luna was broken by—" He leaned his head in his hand.

Jason wasn't sure what to say. He'd gone through some horrific things, but they paled in comparison to what could happen to Luna, especially if caught by human traffickers. Those cases didn't always have happy endings—and even if they did, like with Ana and Nika, it took a long time to recover and a part of you would be forever changed. Gray had gone through something similar, but he wasn't in any state to speak of his trauma, even if he were present. Even if Gray were ready to do that, Jason wasn't sure if he would be able to overcome his self-centeredness to see that he could use his experiences to help others recover….

Gray had emerged damaged but was now moving past his trauma become an agent. Jason couldn't exactly use Gray as an example without his consent, though, since no one here knew of the extent of what had happened except Jason, Connie, and Tasha.

"The girls we met yesterday—" said Jason, "they went through unspeakable things. They have a lot to overcome. They probably won't ever totally get over it—I don't know how anyone could. But they're recovering. They're even finding the good in what happened. One wants to become an agent and fight the evil which enslaved her. The other—" He hesitated. He didn't want to bring up the adoption until it was a sure thing. "She's carrying the child of one of her…attackers."

"How horrible," said Darya, her face ashen.

Roderick looked horrified. "I –that's something I didn't even consider—that Luna— could be forced to—"

"It's beyond what anyone should expect from…someone who's still a child herself. But she's giving it up for adoption. Carrying it until then and giving it a hope for a good future."

"She's very brave," said Connie. "She was practically in denial about her baby, but then she realized—something good could come out of such terrible evil."

"I suppose…that's what we've got to hold onto," said Roderick. "If the worst happens."

"The best case scenario," said Jason, "is that she comes out of this with some mild PTSD from being kidnapped—that's pretty much a given unless she's been unconscious the whole time. If the worst does happen—there will be a long road to recovery. But with a lot of support, there's a good chance she'll be able to overcome it and lead a normal life."

"With James," said Darya, wistfulness and desperation in her eyes.

"We'll be there for her—no matter what. I just wish… well, I just have to put that out of my mind."

"What is it?" asked Jason.

"Ironically, I feel powerless here, trapped in my palace. I'm used to—at least when I was younger—doing things myself. If I needed a fire, I chopped wood. If I needed food, I went hunting or foraging or, if I had to risk it, went into town to buy it. Now—well, I do have more power, it's just that I would prefer looking for Luna myself, rather than sending out an elite team. I've got to resist that impulse—I can do more good here, even if I don't feel like it."

"I'm glad you've come to that conclusion," said Darya.

He turned to Jason and Connie. "So, how is your investigation going?"

Jason told him of what had happened yesterday. Didn't spare himself when he spoke of the interrogation. Roderick was understanding, though he said he'd have to have a talk with Markov. Jason also said that Markov suspected the man could be a Yavesh cell leader, and that he'd cut him loose in order to follow him. He told them about the leads from Ana and Nika, and then he and Connie told them a little about the investigation of that morning, though they didn't go into detail, and didn't tell them they'd found a video of Ana.

"I can't imagine—anyone wanting to watch something like that," said Darya, looking sick.

"Something like—what?" said a soft voice from the doorway. Jason turned to see James, looking rather ghostly as if he weren't quite phased into reality.

"Nothing, dear. I'm glad you're up."

He meandered over to the table and sat in the nearest open seat. His hair was unkempt, and he had dark shadows under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept. Jason's heart went out to him; he knew what it was like to think you might have lost the one you loved.

James scooped some potatoes onto his plate and began halfheartedly eating. Silence reigned until he turned to Jason and said, "Have you found anything?"

"We've got a few leads. Several threads we're following." He updated James on the case, treading carefully so he didn't feel more awful than he already did. Still, James caught on to what kind of videos they'd been investigating.

"That—they—they could be doing that to Luna!"

"Now—we don't know that," said Darya. "Don't jump to the worst conclusion."

"But if Yavesh has her—who knows what they're doing! I have to go find her."

"I wish I could too," said Roderick. "But it won't do you any good if you're captured."

"Maybe they'd want a higher value hostage! They could take me and—she'd be safe."

"But we'd lose you."

"They might not hurt me. Because they'd want to trade me for—for something."

"You don't know that. I don't want you to do something rash."

"She could be in pain—she could be— If they had me, at least—they wouldn't hurt me—in that way."

"There's no guarantee," said Jason softly. "It might be less prevalent, but boys, even men, aren't immune to—to such treatment. I don't want you to go rushing headlong into something that—could be just as bad for you as for her."

He looked horrified for a moment and then he said, "At least it wouldn't be her."

"I know you would do anything to protect her. But—I hate to say this, you're not a professional. You could do more harm than good. Your dad's got a new task force that's going to look for Luna. As a prince, you have to stay strong. Be an example to your people."

"I don't care about that."

"But if you want to help Luna, the best thing to do is not get in the way of the people who are trained for this."

"You're right, I guess. I just—I can't think. Can't sleep. Not when she's out there. If I really knew I could exchange myself, and it would work, I would."

"Luna wouldn't want you to get hurt, either. I believe they will find her. And then you can be together again." He looked at Darya. "Would you like to tell him about…?"

She nodded. "I suppose…. I won't go back on my word, though I still have reservations. But—it'll give you something to hold onto." As she told him that she'd consent to their marriage when Luna got rescued, his eyes lit up and a smile burst across his face.

"Thank you, Mom!" He jumped up and hugged her, tears streaming down his face. And then Roderick rose and wrapped them both in his arms.

"I suppose… I'm pretty much done eating," said Connie. "Maybe we should give them some space."

On the way back to the guest wing, Connie's phone rang.

She picked it up. "Hi!" A pause. "Who is this?" Then she whispered to him, "It's Nika."

Back in their room, Connie said, "She wants to know if we still want to adopt."

Jason's heart slammed against his chest. This could change the rest of their lives. Was he ready? Was this what he should do?

A door was opening. A way to help a young girl, her baby, and Connie. How could he do anything else?

"Of course."

"She said—we can pick up the adoption papers today."

A first step toward their future together. With a new little baby they would meet in a few months.

An incredible thrill raced through him.