POV: Maya

Standing at the crack in reality, preparing to return to the world that had tried to kill us, I realized I'd never been more terrified. Not in Malcolm's torture chamber. Not facing the Mother Below's trials. Not even holding the gateway open as a nuclear missile descended.

This was different. This was a choice. Deliberate. Calculated risk.

"You don't have to do this," Elena said for the hundredth time. "You could stay here. Be safe. Let someone else negotiate."

"No one ...