On our way to Thailand, Plath barely says a word, and when he does have to talk to me, he is a total ass. I’m thankful for Sage hoarding money so I can do things without worrying about money and not having to ask Plath to help pay.

After we make it out of the airport, I’m shocked when Plath speaks Thai to a man in a taxi. I listen to them converse with raised eyebrows. It makes sense, though. He would have to know Thai if this is where the portal is between Earth and the Sphere.

Plath doesn’t say a word to me while we ride in the taxi. I try to ask him where we are going multiple times, but he never answers. “Do you hate me now?” I ask him.

He laughs. “Do I hate you? No, I don’t hate you.”

“Wow, you talked to me.” I scoff.

“Well, you needed to at least know that I don’t hate you.” I can tell he is forcing himself not to say more.

“I have a question. We never got to talk about what happened when I killed Nikolai.”

He laughs. “I don’t need to know the gory details.”

“No. It isn’t about me ripping his heart open… It’s what happened right before I did.”

He looks at me, and his forehead wrinkles. “What happened?”

I replay what happened in my mind. “He had a gun to my head but became very still. He couldn’t move. Not even blink! And then he accused me of doing something to him.”

Plath thinks for a moment and shrugs his shoulders as he says, “He was probably just trying to confuse you.”

“That is what I thought. But I killed him. I used that moment to kill him. If he was so smart and one of the best Hunters, why did it come so easy for me?” I search Plath’s eyes for an answer, but he stares back with little emotion.

“He probably thought you would fall for his mind games. Obviously, you didn’t. You used that moment for your benefit.”

The taxi driver says something to Plath in Thai. Plath sits up straighter and replies. I stop trying to listen to their conversation and try to read their expressions.

I look at Plath and ask, “What are you two talking about?”

“We are here,” Plath says as the car stops.

We get out, and Plath looks around. I start looking around as well and notice the taxi driver brought us to the middle of nowhere. I feel for my gun just to be sure it is still in my messenger bag.

“It’s too quiet,” Plath says as he continues to look around. He nods at the taxi driver, who then drives quickly away.

“What do you mean it’s too quiet?” I nervously ask.

Plath flips open his cell phone to see what time it is. He scratches his head and says, “It’s the correct time.”

“What do you mean it’s the correct time?”

He closes his cell phone and places it in his pocket. “I mean it’s the right time. The portal to the Sphere only opens at a certain time of day when the moon, sun, and stars align in a certain position. Look at the time for yourself.”

I take my cell phone from my bag and notice it isn’t working. I look at Plath. “It isn’t working… How am I supposed to know what time it is?”

He smiles. “Exactly. Nothing electronic will work when the time is right. Now, I need to figure out why it’s so quiet.”

“Is it not supposed to be quiet?”

He shakes his head. “No. This place is usually filled with Sphere Hunters. They guard the perimeter.” That’s logical.

I immediately grab my gun and click the safety off. “Well, I’m ready if they decide to come.”

He laughs and says, “Your gun will not protect you.”

Plath takes my gun from my hands and throws it on the ground. He takes my hands and pulls them forcefully behind my back. He forces me to the ground with his foot on my shoulders.

“What the hell!” I scream, and then, I feel something go across my mouth.

I frantically look around and notice we are swarmed by Sphere Hunters. My heart speeds up to an unhealthy pace, and I’m sweating profusely. I would look to Plath for help, but he is the one who has me bound.

A Hunter, who appears to be extremely old, walks in front of me. Looking at Plath, he says, “Good work.”

I pull and try to free myself but can’t. Plath laughs and says, “It wasn’t easy. But here she is, Nikolai.”

What? It wasn’t Nikolai who I killed? Plath has played me this whole damn time! How could I have been so damn stupid? I start fighting to the best of my ability to free myself, but Plath is too strong.

Nikolai kneels down and looks into my eyes. I stare directly into his, and it’s like catching a glimpse of hell. I struggle against Plath’s grip with no success in freeing myself.

“I have heard rumors of you. Strong but so naïve. I’m glad you are still alive and did not get yourself killed. You see, they want you alive. The Hunters have been after your friend, and I hear they were successful at killing her. We needed her out of the way. It brings me joy to know you fell right into our trap, Little One. Did you really think someone could feel something for you? You are different, Orion. I’m sure you figured that out a long time ago.”

Nikolai puts his long, bony fingers against my cheek. “Shhh, child. It is important to remain calm. I do have some advice for you before I bring you to them. Answer their questions. Don’t fight them. It is a matter between life and death. And, you want to live, don’t you?”

I would spit in his face if I could. I try to pull my arms and kick my legs but become still when I feel a needle stab into my skin. I begin to feel woozy, and the laughter from the men around me sounds distorted. The world around me fades until it becomes black and silent.