Chapter 425

XENOIS

I stood in our family room the next morning, watching my children settle into various seats, and wondered how exactly one explained cosmic debts and alternate timelines to a five-year-old.

Riley, Lake, and Ollie occupied the couch together, that unconscious closeness they'd developed since the facility rescue making them gravitate toward each other during stressful situations. Shawn sat in an armchair, his seventeen-year-old face already showing concern—he'd picked up that something significant was about to be discussed.

Lumina was beside me, her hand in mine, both of us drawing strength from the contact. My parents stood near the window, having insisted on being present for this conversation....