The safe house was quiet when they returned.
Vance walked through the door, his body aching, his mind exhausted. The Shadow Council was defeated, but his father was still out there. Still planning. Still building.
His mother was waiting in the kitchen, a cup of coffee in her hand. Her eyes were red, her face pale.
"Vance, I need to talk to you."
"About what, Mom?"
"About your father. About what he's planning."
"You knew about the Shadow Council?"
"I knew. I've known for years. He told me everything."
Vance sat down across from her. "Then tell me. Tell me everything."
His mother took a deep breath. "Your father has been planning this for decades. He built the Phoenix as a cover. The real organization was always the Shadow Council. They've been preparing to take control of the globa
