Chad gasped over a puddle of bile tinged with blue as Parker sagged next to him, her face calm and smiling despite her weariness. It made sense for her to support Chad. The shared gift meant an easy link between them. It almost made Fresco jealous. Parker felt it, still open from Chad's journey and met Fresco's eyes, sliding herself back to him as she let Chad feel the freedom he won. Fresco's jealousy didn't survive the contact.

Chad's freedom caused the household no end of ...