“How do I explain your absence?”

“Tell him I got hurt,” Nate suggested, his mind racing to find better excuses. “Tell him I was stressed that we almost drowned Roman. Tell him I wanted to see Mr. Stott about it.”

“What if he sends us after Uweya while you’re gone?”

“Break your button,” Nate said. “We’ll need all the help we can get. Try to convince Chris and Risa to help us. Jonas has the Gate and the Protector. We can’t let them get used.”

“What are you going to do? Are you really going to Mr. Stott?”

“I’ll go there first,” Nate said. “That will help your story check out. Hopefully Mr. Stott can help me get rid of this tracking bracelet. I really can use whatever advice I can get. Once we make a plan, I’ll do whatever it takes. Maybe I’ll end up attacking Arcadeland with the Battiatos. If so, we’ll probably be glad to have you inside. Stay ready to help.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not ditching you,” Nate pledged. “I just don’t know what else to do.”

“It’s all right,” Lindy assured him, trying to fake a brave smile. “I get it. We need to take action, and we can’t leave Arcadeland unwatched. I agree. One of us should stay and one should go. I’ll do what I can until you come with the cavalry.”

“I should get out of here.”

“Go,” she urged. “We’re out of time. You’re right—it’s now or never.”

“Be careful.”

“You too.”

Nate flew away.

As he cruised at his top speed, buildings and streets streaked by beneath him, and cool air washed over him. It didn’t take long to reach the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe. Landing in the back, Nate rapped on the door. After a prolonged pause, he knocked again. The door opened a moment later.

“Come inside,” Mr. Stott said, alert eyes gazing beyond Nate into the night.

Nate entered hastily. “We got the Protector,” he said. “It’s the last thing Jonas White needs to go after Uweya.”

“You delivered it to him?” Mr. Stott exclaimed.

“The other Jets handed it over, along with Lindy. I wasn’t sure what else to do. Jonas has simulacra of us, and the Tanks could track us. If we had tried to run, we wouldn’t have made it far. I guess the next step will be to track down the Battiatos.”

“They’ve already been here,” Mr. Stott said. “Ziggy is upstairs taking refuge in my sanctum. Trevor and Victor went after Pigeon and Mozag a few hours ago.”

“What?” Nate cried. “How’d it go?”

“Not well,” Mr. Stott grumbled. “John Dart and Pigeon got out of their cells and tried to help, but they were captured along with Victor and Trevor.”

“Wait,” Nate said. “If they were all captured, how could you know what happened?”

“Victor recently regained consciousness,” Mr. Stott explained. “He was out for some time. When he revived, he transferred much of his strength back to Ziggy. In the process, he managed to also transmit a great deal of information.”

“Like what?”

Mr. Stott glanced toward his apartment. “It might be safer to let Ziggy explain. Jonas White shouldn’t be able to eavesdrop on us in my lair, but he certainly won’t be able to overhear us in my sanctum. You look haggard. Would you care for a refreshment?”

“Sure,” Nate said, realizing it had been some time since he had a bite.

“Something sweet and nutritious?”

“I’d take that.”

“Go on up. Get filled in. The treat will take me a minute or two.”

Nate flew up the stairs. Flight required less energy than walking, and he was feeling pretty weary. Now that he had reached the relative safety of the candy shop, it was like his body knew it could unwind.

Nate entered the apartment, glided to the sanctum, and knocked.

“Come in,” Ziggy called.

Nate opened the door. Ziggy looked young and bloated with muscle. Nate raised his eyebrows. “Dude, you’re a beast.”

Ziggy smirked. “Wish I wasn’t. It’s a reminder that Victor ran into more trouble than he could handle. What’s the latest?”

“Jonas White has the Protector. The other Jets brought it to him tonight. He can go after Uweya whenever he wants.”

Tilting his head back, Ziggy closed his eyes. His thick neck bulged. “This keeps getting stickier. We’re up against the ropes getting pummeled, and Jonas shows no hint of letting up.”

“I heard that Victor and Trevor got caught.”

Ziggy let out a defeated sigh. “Without freeing anyone. We’re running out of allies. And Jonas has some heavy hitters working for him.”

“Mr. Stott told me you got some info from Victor?”

“Might be our one ray of hope,” Ziggy said. “We’ve always shared a strong connection. Victor managed to send a lot of information when he transferred his vitality to me. Poor guy must be in lousy shape.” Ziggy rolled one of his shoulders and rubbed his chest. “I felt how brutally he got hammered. I’m still achy all over.”

“What did he learn?”

“Victor and Trevor made it to Jonas White’s sanctum. John and Pigeon beat them there. John was going for the throat. He wanted to take out the Source.”

“The Source?”

“A Simulcrist needs a steady stream of magical power to energize his many connections. This power source is both his strength and his weakness. With it, he can manipulate many complicated enchantments at once. Without it, the connections would unravel. Jonas keeps his Source in his sanctum. It’s a jade vase.”

“I take it they didn’t destroy the Source?” Nate checked.

“They got into the room,” Ziggy said. “Impressive, since it was locked with a keycard. John must have lifted it off a guard. They almost succeeded, but the sanctum was well defended. Jonas used his simulacra to paralyze John and Pigeon. Katie Sung and a Crusher dealt with Victor and Trevor.”

“A Crusher?”

“They can manipulate gravity—reverse it, decrease it, increase it. I don’t know where Jonas found her. Maybe he helped create her. It’s a very rare ability.”

“Did Victor free Pidge and John?”

“I don’t know how they got free,” Ziggy said. “I only know that they beat Trevor and Victor to the sanctum, then got recaptured. Victor never encountered Mozag.”