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Carani blinks, astonished.

“How…Howdid you know?”

“I walked by you working in your study, a week ago, and I glanced over your shoulder. I saw the screen for three seconds and I didn’t even remember the name Aldron Robotics until this moment.”

She smiles proudly.

“I-I’msmarternow, father – and my mind? It’s like it’s working at a hundred percent. The Bond is only going to keep getting stronger. If you trusted me then you should trust menow. I’m not just going to be Bonded to these Aurelians. I’m going to have myownlife.”

Natali steps forward.

“I’mtiredof people telling me what I can and can’t do – and now, I can doanything.”

I’m surprised. I’d never heard of the Bond enhancing someone’s mind in such a way; but I latch onto what she said, and it makes sense.

She continues:

“Think of your grandsons, Father. They’ll be mighty warriors, and will live thousands of years – and they’ll carry onyourlegacy. You won’t just be the patriarch of a human family. You’ll be the patriarch of adynasty– a powerhouse in this universe.”

Her father’s eyes widen.

“Because of you,” Natali continues. “It’s all because of the Orb-Deposits thatyoufound. This is your legacy, Father – and you’ll record holo-vids and lessons for your grandsons to watch long after you’re gone; and for their grandsons to watch into eternity.”

Mr. Carani’s eyes fill with tears. Then, he stands up unsteadily.

The thin, gaunt man walks to his daughter, hugging her tightly.

“I trust you, Natali. I’m… I’msosorry you didn’t have the childhood you deserved.”

“It’s okay,” Natali embraces him tightly. “You did everything you had to do. Now, it’s time for me to find my own way.” She pulls from his arms. “I’m going with my triad, Father – but we’ll speak with you soon, okay?”

He pauses for a moment. Then, it’s like a switch flicks in his mind.

Suddenly, he realizes he can’t hold onto her anymore.

“Okay,” the old man sniffs. “Be safe, my sweet.”

“I will.”

We walk out, not certain when we’ll return; only that we will.

Natali says a tearful goodbye to Gerard at the gates, thanking him for everything he’s done over the decades. He has tears in his eyes as he hands her a bag packed with her clothes, giving her one last smile. Then, Natali follows us into our Reaver – and into our new life together.

The doors of the Reaver close behind us, and I take off into the atmosphere.

The last wound is patched.

Now, we can truly go anywhere.

19

Natali

Ifeel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders as we soar up into the air above my father’s estate.

“Where are we going now?” I ask.

Brennan turns his head. There’s a sly grin on his face. “You’ll see. There’s a place I’d heard about during my hundred years of service. It’s going to take a couple hours to get there without Orb-Shifting, so get comfortable.”