Lark thought Josh got very serious as soon as he shooed Conan and Shamira out of the room. She watched him struggle with something as he kneeled to help her pick up all the shredded fabric around the room. Snowy’s distraction had eased the tension from earlier and helped Lark forget there were serious matters to discuss.

Not sure if she should try to rush him, Lark waited until they were seated, tablets and notebooks in hand. But when Josh simply continued staring into the cold fireplace, Lark finally cleared her throat.

“Josh, what’s the matter?”

He started but refused to meet her eyes. “I don’t have much information yet...I don’t know what it all means…”

Instead of being annoyed at his stalling, She began to feel scared. It wasn’t like Josh to be hesitant in dishing out information.

“You’re absolutely sure you gave me the correct data about your brothers’ deaths?” he finally asked.

Okay, now I’m getting a little annoyed.

“I couldn’t give you an exact location or time, since the mission was classified,” she huffed. “But based on the private eye’s investigation, I gave you our best guess. And I remember the date precisely.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” he said, almost under his breath.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“In my search for any information we had already gathered on your brothers, I came across the very date you gave me.” He hesitated.

“So? You already knew they were killed. It would make sense you had already found out when.”

“There was also a time and location. For a time-travel trip.”

She still wasn’t sure what that meant, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t like it. “A trip?”

He nodded. He brought something up on his tablet and shoved it at her. “There were lots of trips made in our search for you all. But apparently, a small Wysteria Unit made a trip on that day to Earth.”

“Why?” Lark was beginning to feel queasy. “Any why didn’t you remember it?”

“I wasn’t involved.” He shook his head. “It looks like Grandpa Franklin was the one in charge of setting it up. It was about two years ago, our time. I wasn’t even on the planet. There was a huge Technology and Science conference on Atlantis I was attending. It was the first year I went without Grandpa Franklin.”

“Then what was the trip for?” She was really feeling sick. Was it possible Avi or Franklin were involved in...no. That was a crazy thought. This was all crazy!

“I’m not sure yet. That’s all I found so far, but I thought you should know. Lark!” Josh pointed to her face, looking worried. “Your eyes are glowing again!”

She closed her eyes, trying to calm down. There was no telling what she might accidentally do if she didn’t stay in control. She gripped the arms of her chair.

“Wait, Lark—”

But it was too late. The delicate scrolled wood splintered in her hands. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

“You should probably let off some steam,” Josh said. He looked anxious, but also like he was trying not to laugh.

“But we need to find out–”

“We will,” he promised. “But right now, I need to make sure you don’t burn down the city.”

“That’s a little harsh,” she mumbled. But she still followed him out into the hallway where Conan and Shamira were chatting.

“Lark!” Shamira’s smile froze when she caught sight of Lark’s face.

Conan jumped forward. “What’s wrong?”

Lark looked at Josh, not sure what to do.

“Not here.” Josh glanced around, then motioned for everyone to follow him.

Their group silently made their way through the night to the orchards behind the palace. Josh still refused to say anything as he followed the river behind the orchards upstream. Lark did find herself relaxing as they walked swiftly for more than fifteen minutes. The ground was a smooth carpet of dark green grass. The moons were only partly hidden by clouds tonight, so the occasional wildflower caught their light, flashing like jewels.

The river, which was shrinking more into a stream, led them into a forest. Lark’s guards had been keeping an eye on her the whole trip, but she was thankful they hadn’t asked any more questions.

Josh eventually stopped next to a small pond covered with lily pads. “How are you feeling?” he asked Lark.

“Better, thank you.”

“Now can you tell us what is going on that you had to bring us somewhere no one would hear us? I’ve half a mind to call dad.”

“Don’t!” Josh surprised all of them with his vehemence.

“What is going on?” Conan asked again, now sounding suspicious.

Josh looked at Lark, waiting for permission. This was, after all, mostly about her.

Lark bit her lip, not sure what to say. These people were her friends, but they had been Avi’s subjects for far longer. Could she trust them? She played with her dog tags. If she was going to figure out what was going on and save her brothers, she would need more allies than just Josh.

She took a deep breath. “I think Avi might be hiding something. Josh and I are conducting...an investigation. One I don’t want Avi finding out about.” She stood tall, looking Conan and Shamira straight in the eyes. Who would they choose?

Conan was visibly struggling internally, but Shamira stepped forward.

“I chose to follow you to my dying breath the day you insisted on going back to save the hostages.” Shamira kneeled on one knee, which Lark found a little excessive.

“Um, thank you.” Embarrassed, Lark helped her back up. “I appreciate the sentiment, but you really don’t have to kneel.” She looked at Conan. “I know I’m asking a difficult thing from you. I completely understand if you don’t feel comfortable. I only ask, if you decide not to help, to leave now and forget tonight ever happened.” She tried not to sound threatening, but she wasn’t sure she entirely pulled it off.

Conan looked like he was close to walking away. But he just looked back and forth between Lark and Josh. “Are you sure this is warranted? It’s to be expected Grandpa Avi wouldn’t share everything with you right away. I mean, he has the responsibility of most of this planet resting on his shoulders.”

“It’s a little bigger than that,” Josh said quietly.

Conan stared at him for what seemed an eternity. But Josh’s seriousness seemed to be what tipped the balance. “I’m with you, Lark,” Conan finally said. “But I also believe if you find your suspicions baseless that you will make it up to Grandpa Avi.”

Lark nodded. It couldn’t be easy suspecting someone you look up to and love so much. She figured Conan was still loyal to Avi, but at least he was willing to listen to them for now.

“If we’re wrong, I will personally tell Avi everything and apologize,” she promised.

Shamira looked at Josh. “What is it that has you so worried?”

Joshua motioned them all over to where he’d plopped down on the grassy bank next to the pond. Everyone gathered around him.

“There’s a possibility people from our time may have been involved in the princes’ deaths.”

Lark heard soft gasps, but she didn’t look at anyone. She kept her gaze out over the pond. Josh quickly went over what Lark and he had found out...which wasn’t much.

“Wait, did you say two years ago?” Conan’s voice sounded tight. “Can I see the data you have?”

“I haven’t gone through it all,” Josh said, but still handed his tablet over to his brother.

Conan began to read, the tablet’s glow throwing exaggerated shadows across his face.

“Okay, a team was sent on the day the princes died,” Shamira said. “But Earth is a big place. They could have gone anywhere.”

“This is the timeframe in which we know they died,” Josh countered. “And if that wasn’t enough of a coincidence, the location fits with the approximate area Lark was able to find in the past.”

“That doesn’t prove—” Shamira began to protest.

But a strangled cry from Conan had everyone looking at him.

Lark didn’t think the harsh light from the tablet was the only thing making his face that pale.

“What’s wrong?” they all chorused.

“Dad was part of that mission,” Conan choked out.

Lark’s heart sank.

“That’s not unexpected.” Josh frowned. “He headed about half the time missions.”

Conan shook his head. “You don’t understand. Dad was nearly killed during a time mission two years ago.”

“You guys said it was nothing!” Josh accused. “‘Just a little limp,’ you said.”

“By the time you got back from your conference, it was nothing,” Conan mumbled. “But it was pretty bad at first.”

“How could you not tell me?” Josh hissed.

Lark and Shamira tried to pretend they weren’t there.

“What could you do from Atlantis?” Conan hissed back. “He stabilized and began to heal right away. Dad didn’t want you to worry.”

Josh glared at his brother.

Lark felt for Josh, but they really needed to move on. “What does this mean?” she asked Conan, but he seemed to be in shock.

Josh, now pointedly ignoring Conan, was the one who finally answered. “It’s not looking good for King Avi, Grandpa Franklin, or my dad.”

“Yeah, but why?” Shamira asked impatiently.

“Because,” Conan said in a voice devoid of emotion, “it’s entirely possible this little jaunt brought Casimer to the princes.”

“Wait, Casimer is involved? How?” asked Lark.

“Casimer had a spy in our science department,” Josh reluctantly admitted. “Before we found out, he had gotten his hands on technology that let him piggyback on some of our time travel trips. It seems he followed and attacked the Wysteria Unit in the past. If they were anywhere near the princes’ team…”

“It was our fault?” Shamira whispered.

Now they were all in shock.

Lark felt sick to her stomach. Unlike Avi, she really liked Harold. She was even thinking about asking if she could call him uncle.

But if they were actually responsible for Alex and Sterling’s deaths, or even knew about it, could she forgive that? Would they have ever told her? Or did Avi still hope to have a loving relationship, forever keeping their secret in the dark?

Lark locked eyes with Conan. He looked like his entire world had been ripped away from him. She opened her mouth to comfort him, but nothing came out. She knew what it was like to feel betrayed. After all, her own father...but at least she had never loved, respected, or idolized him.

Conan struggled to his feet, as if a great burden weighed him down.

“Conan?” Josh jumped up.

Without responding, Conan stumbled back the way they had come.

“I’ll go with him.” Josh looked worried. “We’ve got some things to talk about. Shamira, would you see Lark back?” Barely waiting for their acknowledgement, Josh took off after Conan.

As she followed Shamira home in somber silence, Lark wondered when she had started crying.