Walking back to that waiting room, seeing the faces of the few survivors who'd made it this far, I knew what I had to do. Michael and Ruth and the others had died to get Thomas here. Their sacrifice meant something only if I was willing to do whatever it took to save him.

"I want to see him first," I told the healer when I found him again.

"Of course. Follow me."

The healing chamber was dimly lit, filled with the soft glow of candles and the steady hum of whatever magical equipment they used ...