The ding still echoed again when everyone rushed toward Kia. Samantha nearly tripped over the edge of the rug in her haste, Theodore caught her arm instinctively, and Xavier all but shoved his way to the front. Logan was the last to move, though his strides were the longest, his heart pounding so loudly it drowned every other sound.

Kia leaned back in his chair, savoring the moment. His laptop screen glowed, the message clear enough to reflect in his eyes. He whistled low, shaking his head as ...