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Hell, the very act of withholding the Star from him could trigger a confrontation I must be prepared for, with outcomes that could reshape our reality.

The only certainty I cling to amid all this vagueness is my resolve to leave Gray Wolf behind. Though I have definite plans to visit my mom, I won’t stay for long. The town that once contained my whole world now feels way too constricting. When it comes to making a fresh start, New York seems like a much better fit.

Besides, I have a key to my dad’s apartment, along with a sum of money securely hidden in a safe behind Salvador Dalí’sThe Persistence of Memory. And of course, I fully expect Braxton to join me, so together, we’ll start a new life.

Yet, woven through my thoughts of new beginnings is the enduring dream of rescuing my dad and mending the holes in my own family tapestry. Still, it’s not without risk. The complexities of altering history, of navigating the treacherous waters of paradoxes and unintended consequences, loom large. And then, there’s Nietzsche’s cautionary note about battling monsters, reminding me of the fine line between changing the past and being irrevocably changed by it.

Will my inability to let go of my father turn me into a monster like Arthur?

“So,” Mason begins, standing at the threshold of Braxton’s room, eyes scanning those of us gathered, “what’s this about?”

The room falls silent as everyone shifts toward me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution at Mason’s presence. Motioning for him to join me on the well-worn leather couch, I clutch Braxton’s Union Jack needlepoint pillow a bit too tightly, seeking comfort and courage from its familiar texture.

“Hypothetically,” I say, trying to sound casual yet meaningful, “if you had the chance to leave here and could choose any destination, any era, where would it be?”

Mason’s posture stiffens, his defenses practically electrifying the air between us. “Cut to the chase, Nat,” he says, his fingers absently tracing the golden crown ring I gave him to wear both as a talisman and a symbol of our deep-rooted connection. “Is this some sort of escape plan? Because I can’t help but notice not everyone’s here.”

Despite knowing him as well as I do, his directness catches me completely off guard. Still, it serves as a stark reminder that Mason and I share too much history for this sort of evasiveness. He deserves nothing short of the truth.

“Told you this was a bad idea,” Oliver mutters under his breath.

Though Mason doesn’t miss a beat, I can tell by the pinch of his lips that Oliver’s comment didn’t go unnoticed. “Home,” he states simply, catching us all off guard with the straightforwardness of his wish.

Keane, ever the facilitator, leans forward. “Remember, you can go anywhere. Your options are limitless. Any timeline, any destination you desire, it’s well within reach. I can make it happen.”

The offer is enticing, opening an entire world of possibilities, but Mason remains steadfast in his resolve. “Just get me off this rock,” he says. “I’ll handle the rest from there.” His gaze shifts to me, reading the look of surprise etched across my face and those of everyone else in the room. “Seems like you all expected something different.” He smirks. “Thought I’d settled in, maybe?” His voice trails off, leaving the questions hanging.

“I guess I thought you were really starting to like it here,” I say. “You had that—”

“That new Blue glow.” Braxton finishes the thought for me.

Curious, I turn to him, unfamiliar with the term. Which leaves me to wonder if that’s how they saw me after my first Trip, when I was completely caught up in the wonders of this place.

“Honestly,” Mason says, “I won’t lie—it’s incredible here. I mean, where else could someone like me experience all this?” He makes a wide, but vague, gesture around the room. “The way we get to dress, the food we get to eat, all this art and luxury, not to mention attending elaborate parties at Versailles thrown by King Louis XIV—it’s intoxicating, to say the least.”

He’s not wrong. The allure of Gray Wolf is undeniable, and I’d be lying if I said there weren’t plenty of things that I’m going to miss about the life I’ve lived here. The mundane reality that awaits us once we’re off this rock seems lackluster in comparison.

But even if I chose to stay, how long could I really time travel like this? Keane, Hawke, Roxane once roamed through time as we do, yet now find themselves anchored in administrative roles, a path I’ve never aspired to follow.

“But eventually,” Mason continues, breaking into my thoughts, “I need to start looking forward, and home is where my future lies. Plus, I really do miss my grandma.”

In that moment, I lean in and hug him. Though we’ve been best friends for what feels like forever, such open displays of affection have been rare between us. Which is why I find myself caught by surprise when he returns the hug with equal warmth.

“All right, all right, break it up already,” Oliver says. “We’ve got plans to make.”

Pulling back, I grab my water and take a long, steady sip. Then, meeting each of their eyes in turn, I say, “First, a little context…”

After explaining the Antikythera Mechanism’s significance and Arthur’s intentions once I secure the Star, I add, “I’m going to get Arthur his Star, but there’s a twist. Braxton will also Trip, but he’s going to Antikythera Island in Greece, in the year 1901. He’ll be there just when the original Antikythera is found, so he can switch it out with a replica.”

I can’t help but grin. It feels like the ultimate countermove against Arthur, beating him at his own game by swapping a genuine piece of history with a fake. It’s also satisfying to know that my father’s contributions as a Timekeeper weren’t in vain.

“I’ll ensure Braxton gets there on time,” Keane says, voice brimming with confidence. “I’m familiar with all the intricacies of working the control room.” Turning to Mason, he continues, “You, along with Oliver and Finn, need to head to the dock. I’ll secure the car keys for you, but from there, you’ll have to navigate your way forward on your own.”

“I can handle it,” Finn says, as Oliver and Mason both nod.

Mason turns to me, brow furrowed in confusion. “And you? I don’t understand. You give Arthur the Star, but it doesn’t work because the Antikythera he has is now suddenly a fake?”

“Something like that,” I reply, my voice betraying more uncertainty than I’d like. I’m not entirely sure how it’ll work.