Michael was replaying the last words between Hunter and Calla.

I know you started a rockslide to kill my dad and my uncle.

Yeah. And Jay took that really personally.

Michael remembered the man he’d caught sight of during the restaurant bombing, the victims’ photos where he’d caught the edge of a man’s face, with a flash of sandy blond hair.

Just like Hunter’s.

They’d spent so much time talking about his father’s experiences that Michael almost felt like they should have considered this a possibility.

How would you consider this a possibility? Dead people don’t come back.

“It’s your father,” said Michael. “Isn’t it?”

“No,” said Hunter. “It’s my uncle.”

He looked like a kid greeting a parent after a long business trip. His voice was full of eager longing, so at odds with the specks of blood on his face.

And the fact that his uncle was still pointing a gun in their direction.

“I hate to break it to you,” said Tyler, “but this dude doesn’t seem to care who you are.”

“Quiet,” said the man. He walked toward them, his gun still pointed in their direction.

Hunter stared at him, his eyes widening with each step the man took. “How are you . . . ?” His breath caught. “My dad—is he—?”

“Still dead.” No emotion in that voice.

“But—but I went to your funeral. I saw you—in the casket—they buried you—”

“Yes, they did. It took me a while to get out, and longer to piece together our records. You and your mother were long gone. All our old files were gone.” He stopped about ten feet away. “I honestly didn’t expect this much trouble once I got here.” He glanced between Michael and Tyler. “Or this many Elementals in town. You’ve created quite a little community, haven’t you?”

“Fuck you,” said Tyler.

The Guide shot him in the shoulder. Tyler went down yelling.

“Stop!” Hunter surged forward. “Stop! I said you don’t need—”

Michael grabbed his arm and jerked him back, physically blocking Hunter when the Guide swung the gun around.

Michael put his hands back up, but he kept Hunter behind him. He took a step back, very aware of how close that gun barrel was. “Easy,” he said. “He’s a kid. He’s your family. Just tell him to get out of here. He doesn’t need to be a part of this.”

“I might have believed that once,” said the Guide. “Before I found him living with the enemy.” He gestured with the weapon. “Move, Hunter. Out where I can see you.”

“You don’t need to do this,” said Hunter. He shifted to the side. “Please. Uncle Jay. Mom said Dad wasn’t coming here to kill them. I know them now. They’re not dangerous.”

“Your dad and I didn’t always agree.” Jay made a sound of disapproval. “John was still trying to talk sense into them when they pulled us out of the wreckage. He honestly thought it was an accident. He didn’t see it for what it was: an execution.”

“Kind of like this one?” said Tyler. His voice was strained. The scent of blood hung in the air.

“Exactly,” said the Guide. He gave Michael a wry glance. “I thought you were going to ‘find me and kill me.’ How’s that working out for you?”

“I’m halfway there,” said Michael.

“They haven’t done anything wrong,” said Hunter, his voice full of resolve. “Uncle Jay, you have to listen to me—”

“Don’t,” said Michael. “He’s not the uncle you remember, Hunter.” Calla’s body was proof enough of that. Even without the bombs and fires.

“Funny how death changes us,” said Jay.

Michael knew that better than anyone. “Let Hunter go,” he said again, his voice low. “Let him go, and you and I can finish this.”

“You and I?” Another wry smile. “I’ll finish it. Don’t you worry.”

“No elements,” said Michael. “Tyler and I won’t fight you. Just let him go.”

“Speak for yourself,” said Tyler.

“I’m not leaving you,” said Hunter.

“Nice offer,” said the Guide. “But I want you to call elements. The bigger, the better. Here, I’ll help you.” Jay pulled the trigger.

The pain was so sharp and immediate, Michael didn’t even know where he’d been shot—just that he was falling. Hunter was shouting, but Michael couldn’t make out a single word. The earth responded to his pain and the quick flare of panic. Deep cracks shot out from where he landed. The ground rumbled and shook and settled. Michael thought he might throw up.

“Stop!” yelled Hunter.

“Oh, we can do better than that,” said Jay.

Michael tried to catch his breath, but his lungs burned with each inhale. “Why?” he gasped. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I need you.” He pulled the trigger again.

Pain exploded in Michael’s left leg. Upper thigh this time. The earth shook harder. Michael wished for clarity, for something useful. He wished for the singular focus he’d found while fighting the Guide in the woods behind his house.

He couldn’t think through the pain.

“Why?” he said again. “Why do you need me?”