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Now, I understand why he didn’t take the deal.

He sees the same things that Brennan and Lazar predicted. A storm, coming to the universe…

The universe, plunged into another great war.

I feel deflated.

“You… Youneedto help save them.”

My father is clearly confused. Fear clouds his face.

“What did they do to you, Natali?”

I can see in his eyes that he knows. Somehow,he knows.

I draw on the strength of the three auras of my triad. I won’t back down. I won’t let him chose my future.

“I’m Bonded to them, father. I’m Bonded to Brennan, Otho, and Lazar. I am theirFated Mate.”

I’m not ashamed. I’m proud of it. I say the words with conviction.

My father is stunned by the words, and he fiddles with his watch, pressing a button. Then, his smile turns to wonder.

“Don’t you understand, Natali? This changes everything!”

I was expecting anger. I was expecting his rage to grow to fiery proportions, directed against my triad. In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say if I’d wanted his help in convincing the Aurelian Law Enforcement to drop the charges against my triad.

Now, though, I see pure wonder in my father’s eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“The Bond, Natali! The Bond! It extends human life. I’ve been setting in motion a plan to keep you and our descendants safe in the coming war. Now,youcan be the one to put my plans into action.”

His eyes flash wildly.

“It all starts with one, massive Orb-Mine. From that, you can build an empire to face the coming storm – an empire of your own!”

He leaps up from the bed.

“Gods, if only I‘d had the time, I’d have done it myself – but our human lives are so short, and useless.”

He takes a step forward.

“Natali – I’ll start training you to take over the business immediately. You’re not going to be stuck behind walls any longer. You’re going to be aleader.”

It’s too much to process at once. I blink, slowly trying to understand.

Taking over the family business? He wants to groommeto replacehimas the head ofeverything?

My father has barely spoken to me about business before.

I thought he’d appoint some dreary, off-world CEO when he was ready to retire. Now that I have more time than any man, though, he finally deignsmeworthy of that honor.

“I… I don’t know what to say…”

There’s a sudden shadow at the door. It’s Gerard.

That must have been who my father alerted with his smartwatch. He’s holding something in his outstretched hand.