“It’s going to kill Dad soon,” I whispered. “Malcolm… I can’t lose him… please…”

“Hey, calm down first. Who called?” Malcolm asked gently.

Shannon, overhearing the conversation, immediately took off without a word.

“Lira. She said Dad’s dying, his heartbeat’s barely there. Even Dr. Liana’s tried everything to keep him stable,” I whispered again, half crying, half exhausted from everything that had happened.

“We’re going home right now,” Malcolm said softly, patting my head before lifting me into his arms.

“Let’s go,” Shannon called out, reappearing at the stair. “I’ve got our fastest team ready. We need to leave before it gets dark.”

She gestured toward the gate where a...