I paced my quarters, impatient now to act as I waited for Zinnia to arrive. My attempts to reach Syd - even with Mabel's help - failed miserably, though I didn't want my sister's help this time. I just wanted to keep her posted. This job, finding a way to fix things, was mine and mine alone.

But, no. Not alone. I clenched my hands into fists at my side as I paced, thinking of Sequoia and Jabut, my faithful Pagomaris. Where were they? I'd been unable to reach them and realized ...