replay of the asteroid’s destruction from Nebula’s office.
Three people were there. All in suits that have never been seen before.
With no way to recognize the people wearing them.
And yet, he knows without a doubt who at least one of them was. Probably two.
Tristan. And Brielle.
They’re Zodiac Heirs, whatever the hell that means. And although they saved the Earth this time, their very existence is a threat. Because they’re not human.
They’re aliens.
Jack presses a button on the console in front of him.
“Yes, Director?” asks a cool, female voice.
“I’ll be sending out a message to all Nebula operatives.” Discovering they’re stationed all over the world had been a pleasant surprise. “It needs to go out with the highest importance.”
“It will be encrypted accordingly.”
Jack lifts his finger off the button, terminating the call.
Once that email is read by every Nebula member, all eyes are going to be on Tristan and his friends.
The truce is null and void.
36
Cassandra
Riding on a wave of electrifying adrenaline, Cassandra drives home. She’s never felt this good in her entire life! And she won’t let anything bring her down.
“Where on Earth have you been?” her father barks as soon as she enters the front door. His arms are crossed, and the little vein on his left temple is engorged and throbbing. He looks positively terrifying.
But Cassandra’s not afraid anymore.
“I was with Brielle,” she responds, casually hanging her purse on the coat rack. And technically, she wasn’t on Earth. She indulges in a private smirk before she turns back to him.
His face turns a darker shade of red. Apparently, her answer was not good enough for him. “I called you several dozen times! Why didn’t you answer? I was getting ready to call the police.”
“I was a little…preoccupied,” she says, remembering the awesome showdown in space from earlier tonight, and a spike of thrill shoots through her. “Besides, I’m surprised you care, seeing as I’m such a disappointment.” She bravely meets his steely gaze, even though that little girl inside her wants to curl into a ball.
No more.
His mouth falls open, and for a moment, he looks utterly shocked.
The surprise quickly turns into rage, and he points a dagger-like finger in her face. “How dare you speak to me like that! Just because the world is ending doesn’t mean you can disrespect me!”
She swallows, refusing to flinch every time the volume of his voice spikes. “The world isn’t ending. Haven’t you heard? The asteroid has been destroyed.”
Disbelief blankets his face.
He really didn’t know. He really thought the asteroid was still heading for Earth. Has the news not gotten out yet?
“No, it wasn’t,” he says, the register of voice coming back down. “The missile hit it wrong. The asteroid is now hurtling towards Earth. And since the news broke, I’ve had no idea where you were or how to find you!”
Now it’s her turn to be shocked. He was actually worried about her?
Her bravado wanes, her shoulders relaxing a bit. “I’m sorry, Dad. I was watching the news with my friends—”
“Sorry isn’t good enough!” he snaps, returning to his usual sternness. “Now we may not have enough time to get to the ship! We had to wait for you, and now we may all die!” He rakes his fingers through his usually well-kept hair, which looks as though he’s been doing this all afternoon.
She stiffens once more, feeling foolish for letting herself think he actually cared about her. He just wanted to save himself. Although, props for him for not just completely leaving her behind.
She rolls her eyes. “No one is going to die. Like I said, the asteroid has been destroyed. The first missile missed, but sounds like someone else launched another missile. No more asteroid.”
He narrows his eyes at her, as if he thinks she’s lying.
“Check your phone.” She juts her chin to the rectangular lump in his slacks pocket.
After another moment of staring, he slowly pulls out his phone and flips through it. His eyes gradually grow wider and wider, until he sharply inhales. “Oh my god, you’re right!” His fingers comb through his hair again, this time in relief.
“See. All good.” She tries to slip past him, but he cuts her off by side-stepping in front of her.
“Oh, no, no, no.” His familiar shadow looms over her, and she knows what’s coming. “Asteroid or no asteroid, your flagrant disrespect for your parents and reckless negligence of this family’s well-being will not be tolerated.” His fingers fumble with his belt buckle.
Her pulse races in remembered fear, but she