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The most likely scenario was that the lab was now empty. Everything moved to a new, more secure location. All traces of his involvement erased.

"You know, he may just be egotistical enough to have him at the same lab," Aaron said as if reading my mind. He wasn’t telepathic—it was just one perk of working with your closest friends. His gaze tracked something on his laptop screen. "Surveillance footage shows nothing that would indicate a total breakdown and transfer. But look, there’s a truck that backed up to the loading dock last night."

"What did they unload or load?" I moved behind his chair to peer over his shoulder.

"Unknown. The view’s blocked."

Doubt trickled through me. Maybe we were wrong. The old man had proven cunning enough to stay one step ahead of us. Perhaps he expected us not to bother with the lab for all the reasons I’d considered.

"Only one way to find out." I checked my watch. "But I’m out of time. It’ll take me at least ten minutes to get to Subliminal."

"And then what?"

"Then I find out what he wants from me."

"You’re willing to just give in to his demands?" he asked.

"I didn’t say that, but I’m not willing to risk Rin’s life by not going."

Aaron nodded, his eyes narrowed as he considered the situation. "Did you tell Keiko?"

"No, not until I know more." Whereas I would burn Ichiro’s world down to save Rin, Keiko would obliterate the actual world.There would be no talking sense into her, and there would be no stopping her. Nothing and no one would stand a chance.

I had no issue with Keiko killing Ichiro if it came down to it, but there would be no keeping her secrets safe after that. No, she didn’t need to know. Not yet.

"You go," Aaron said, turning his attention back to the computer. "I’m going to look into some things, see if I can find out where that truck came from before you agree to anything."

"If he knows I’m involved, then he likely knows you are, too."

His smile was feral. "Yes, but I’m harder to catch."

He wasn’t wrong. The Sato family coveted his cat shifter abilities, his stealth unmatched by anyone other than Keiko. I knew he would be okay if they came for him.

"I’ll keep you updated." I gripped his forearm in a brief farewell.

My grandfather had gained the upper hand, which didn’t bode well for my future. But I still had a few bargaining chips left to play.

He squeezed my arm once before letting go. "Whatever comes next, I’ll be ready."

CHAPTER 22

Bree

The darkness inside the whale’s mouth was nearly absolute, broken only by faint streaks of sunlight filtering through the baleen like beams through stained glass windows. As the whale’s powerful body surged through the ocean depths, water sloshed rhythmically against the rubbery walls. The motion was both soothing and disorienting, and I clung to the ridged flesh of his tongue.

For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe. Which was an interesting thought, considering where I was. But here, within this cavernous mouth, I wasn’t just hiding—I was part of something greater, something untouchable.

The whale loosened his jaws to filter-feed, the rush of water filling the chamber and flooding my senses. Sunlight and plankton danced in the currents. Outside, the open ocean called, endless and wild, and the ache in my chest sharpened.

Cradled inside this massive creature, I had never felt so insignificant, so weightless, and yet…

…soalive.

As the whale closed his mouth again, a soft blue glow illuminated the inside.

Pretty cool, huh?Finley spun around me, showing off the arcane symbols scattered across his skin.

I knew he didn’t mean the glow, since that was nothing new. The symbols were unique toluminara axolotlsand were the key to their magic, appearing shortly after birth. His glow had been a welcome nightlight for Marissa and me while growing up.