what's the matter?

Seth stood watching his wife. What is this woman doing? he thought.

Tamera was scanning the monitor, flipping through recent relays, searching for maps, trying to figure out where they were. All she knew was that they were in a cave... and there was sand everywhere.

“Darn it!” she hissed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Where are we? There’s gotta be some kind of map, some kind of coordinates...”

Seth cleared his throat.

“Tamera, what are you doing?”

“Trying to learn how to work the screen, darling,” she lied—boldly. And he knew it.

“In the war room?” he asked with a smirk. “I can help you with anything you need.”

“That’s okay.” She forced a brittle smile onto her face.

“Why don’t we go into our room?” His voice dropped, low and coaxing. “There are screens in there... and we can have some alone time.”

She turned around slowly. What is this fool thinking? she wondered, watching him with cautious eyes.

“It’s been two days since you came back to me,” he murmured. “And we haven’t had any time together.”

She had no choice. She had to play along.

“Of course, darling.” She stepped closer. “I know it’s been a long time. Thank you for being so patient with me.” She ran her fingers through his thick black hair. “You mean so much to me. I just... didn’t want to rush. I’m still recovering.”

“Since when have you ever been patient?” he teased, then crossed the room in two strides and swept her up, pressing her against the table's edge, where the monitor flickered behind her.

“Uh—!” Her heart jumped. “Somebody might walk in... can’t this wait?” Panic gripped her as she scrambled for another excuse. He wasn’t listening.

He leaned into her ear. “No,” he whispered. “You’re my wife. And I want you.” His kiss was sudden, hard.

“Everyone’s in the kitchen eating,” he continued, his breath hot. “They won’t be back for another hour. So, I have you all to myself.”

“I need you to get off me!” she shouted.

Seth ignored her. His voice was smooth, seductive—most women would’ve melted.

“Do you still like it when I—”

She shoved him hard. He stumbled back, crashing to the floor as she bolted from the room.

Seth stood, touching his mark with a grimace. “War room protocol. Lockdown.”

The system whirred. The room sealed shut behind him. No one could enter now.

---

Charlene was finishing her breakfast. The twins were full and fast asleep, their heads tilted sideways, soft snores escaping as they lay slumped over their high chair trays.

Professor E and Tabitha lingered nearby in the kitchen.

“Do you mind if I ask you a question, Charlene?” Tabitha said.

“Go right ahead.”

“How are you able to summon ReNew?” Her tone was curious, not accusatory. “Have you always been able to use your spirit? To my understanding, you just became aware of your abilities a couple of weeks ago. Correct?”

“You’re right,” Charlene said, sipping water. “My parents kept me... let’s just say suppressed for the last fifteen years. I’ve only learned how to use my abilities in the past few weeks. Give or take a couple of days.”

“Astonishing,” Tabitha said, eyes wide. “You know, it takes most Fates years—decades—to learn to communicate with their souls. Let alone remove it... to allow it to work independently without dying in the process? Remarkable.”

Suddenly, Idris ran in.

“Charlene, we need your help! We have to lock down the cave!”

Everyone paused.

“Stay here,” he told the others. “Don’t let anyone in.” He touched his mark. “Lockdown: kitchen area.”

Charlene jumped to her feet and followed Idris down the corridor, feet pounding the stone as they raced toward the threat.

“Unc! What’s going on? Why are we locking it down?”

We can’t let it out, Idris thought, but didn’t say. Should I tell her?

They turned the corner—and there was Seth.

“It went in there!” he shouted, brandishing a glowing Spirit Saber. He pointed toward the gym.

Inside, Issa was lifting weights, music blaring through headphones Idris had given him. Rap blasted.

Clack. Thud. Clack. Thud.

“There’s no other way out,” Seth said. “Idris, block the exit. Charlene, take the left flank.”

“I’ll go right!” Idris added.

“Remember, you need to remove its head!” Charlene called out, summoning her marrow blade. She nodded.

Clack. Thud. Clack. Thud.

Issa kept singing—completely unaware. “Up in the club... with a bottle full of bub...”

Seth pointed. “We have it surrounded. Move in.”

They closed in.

Seth raised his saber—just as Charlene saw her mother crouched in the corner.

Mom?

“No!” she screamed.

She darted forward, just in time to push her mother out of the way. Seth’s saber sliced air instead.

Tamera cowered. “Don’t let him kill me, Charlene!”

Seth’s expression twisted. “That’s not your mother!”

“Dad, whatever it is—we can solve this! Just don’t hurt her!”

The thing in her mother’s form stood up, using Charlene as a shield.

“Protect your mother, sweetie. Don’t let him hurt me,” it whispered, laying a hand gently on Charlene’s shoulder.

Seth raised his saber again.

“Dad, don’t!” Charlene shouted, freezing his arm mid-air with her powers. “This is Mom! I’ll prove it. What’s the emergency word we always use?”

The creature blinked. “Darling, it’s been so long. How am I supposed to remember that? Give me a moment, I think I know it. Just...”

Nails extended.

They plunged into Charlene’s throat.

She gasped.

“How long have you been in my mother’s body?” she growled, blood trickling down her neck, tears forming in her eyes.

“Release my daughter, and I’ll let you live!” Seth bellowed.

The demon didn’t even flinch.

“Aww... are you crying?” it purred, licking the tear off her cheek.

“Not so fast, big boy,” it said to Seth, tightening its grip on Charlene’s throat.

Blood flowed.

“Let me enjoy this... just for a moment.” It inhaled deeply. “Mmm. I love the smell of fear. It’s delectable.”

“To answer your question—we never were your precious mom. She’s probably worm food by now. Ha! Ha!”

“Don’t believe it, Charlene!” Seth shouted. “Demons lie!”

“When the bastard child of the Trinity came to our domain, we found it to be the perfect time...”

“To enact your plan?” Charlene said coldly.

“To take over the Realm, of course.”

Charlene narrowed her eyes. “Thank you for the long monologue.” Her voice turned icy. “You gave me enough time to figure it out... you’re not my mother.”

Charlene raised her hand, grabbed the wrist of the hand still buried in her throat—and snapped it. The bones cracked.

The demon screamed, transforming back into its original form. It clutched its wrist in agony.

“You’ll pay for that!”

Charlene ducked.

Seth moved like lightning—one clean strike.

Thud.

Its head hit the floor and rolled to Issa’s feet.

Issa finally pulled off his headphones. “What’s going on?”

Idris stared at him, exasperated. “You seriously need to pay attention to your surroundings, dude.”

Charlene stared at the body, trembling.

“If that’s not Mom...” she turned to Seth, “then where is she?”

Seth lowered his saber. “I’m not sure, Princess. But we’ll find her.”