“Were you able to talk to Meret? Did you see her? Is she really at the palace?” Lisa asked Bruce all at once as he slumped into the chair beside her.

“Terrible,” Bruce muttered. “Really terrible.”

“Huh? How?” Lisa asked, confused. “What happened?”

Bruce raked a hand through his hair not knowing what to say or how to explain it. then looked around. “Where’s everyone?”

“They’re not back yet,” Lisa said. “Ace called to say he’ll be helping his mom sort out some ...