Lock Tannis sat on a red throne.

A red crown sat on his head, making contact with black hair.

Ten Freeman warriors stood near the wall ahead, armed. Over two million years ago, Lock had hurled spite at Free's pale people.

Lock pointed his brown eyes at Don Ascend's face.

The former High moved his knees to the floor, then bowed his head.

"Rise," Lock said.

Don rose.

"Great Leader, Nova Majestic is still alive," Don said, speaking Freeman. "Her name is Sabrina now. She told me to tell you to come to Earth because she wants to kill you."

Nova Majestic. Lock knew the girl's father well.

"I will go to Earth," Lock said. "That will occur today."

"Of course, Great Leader," Don said.

"Nova Majestic won't kill me," Lock said. "And what she has done will doom many. After I make my arrival on Earth, Nova will regret making me go to that planet."

***

Jake Wayne stood in a mansion in California.

The sun's warm light touched his blond hair while he remained near the wide window. The mansion Sabrina and Kevin lived in had a variety of different bedrooms, different halls, and different places to enjoy your day in.

After running through gray halls and fighting for his life in a Freeman base, Jake savored the safety and comfort Sabrina's home provided.

Jake had called Peter, had let his Watcher know he was safe and okay.

Maggie Up was with Peter. They had escaped the Freeman base together, and they were now at the mansion in Seattle, Washington.

Jake was in a different city than Seattle. He was with his closest friend in the universe, Sabrina Sam.

Jake, Sabrina, Kevin, and baby Ben had flown in a black Freeman spaceship. Kevin had parked it in the backyard.

They had escaped.

Doug hadn't.

"Jake," a voice said. Jake turned. Sabrina stood close to the doorway, fiddling with her fingers. "Tell me what Maggie told you, please. Not knowing is really bothering me."

The High boy swallowed. He ran a hand through his blond hair.

"Where's Ben?" Jake said. "You know how Kevin feels about him."

"Kevin knows that I like the baby," Sabrina said. "He isn't going to hurt my son. He decided to take him from me, actually. He's feeding him. I'm not surprised. I warmed up to Ben pretty quickly."

"You were going to kill him," Jake said. He turned his head to the digital clock resting on the wooden nightstand. 3:33 p.m. "Anyway, I can tell you what Maggie told me. But you have to be sure. You have to be sure that you want to know the truth."

The truth dwelled in five words.

Jake hadn't forgotten those five words. After fighting bat-like monsters with Jake, Maggie had whispered the truth.

"Just say it, Jake," Sabrina said. "I can't deal with not knowing anymore. Say it."

"Lock Tannis is a Soynite."

There.

Jake had told Sabrina what Maggie had told him.

"That's what Maggie told me," Jake said. "It's exactly what she told me. Lock Tannis is a Soynite, but Maggie didn't elaborate. I ran away."

"No," Sabrina said. Her brow furrowed.

Jake rubbed his forehead. He sat on the big bed, and a burdened sigh escaped him.

"Lock Tannis might be immune to Strife," Jake said. He groaned. "Look, I don't know. I don't know how that's even possible. Only half-Soynites are immune to Strife, but Lock Tannis is a pure Soynite. I think he's Reed Pisces. Reed was able to shapeshift. Shapeshifters can morph into Freemans. Reed was angry at Theo Majestic, so it makes sense that he started the invasion. He must be Lock. And he can't be recognized as a Soynite by sight, otherwise the Soynites who saw him in the past would've told the Soynite public. Lock Tannis is a Soynite."

Sabrina put her hands on her hips and walked toward the nearest wall. She stopped.

"Why didn't tell us?" Sabrina said. She faced the seated boy. "Doug died without knowing that Lock is a Soynite."

Yes, Doug had been killed, but at least he had died ignorant. He had died believing a Freeman had made Soy's invasion happen. Jake and Sabrina wouldn't get that luxury. They never would.

"I was going to tell you," Jake said. "But I wasn't going to do it inside that Freeman base. I don't even know how Maggie knows. There's so much I don't know about her."

"Call Peter," Sabrina said. "Get Maggie on the phone."

"No," Jake said. "I don't want to think about Lock Tannis. We dealt with enough horrors today. I don't want to talk about one. Lock is a Soynite, and the only thing we can do is kill him. That's what matters."

Jake moved his entire body onto the bed, rested his head against one of the pillows. He turned.

As Jake rested on his side, Sabrina said, "That's it, then? Lock Tannis is really a Soynite?"

"Maggie wouldn't lie," Jake said. "Plus, it makes sense. Lock is immortal and he has powers. What kind of Freeman has powers? Lock has Saves. He's a Soynite, Sabrina."

"That's not good,"

"No, it's not."

While the pillow's softness brought warm comfort to his head, Jake sighed. He could sleep. He could stay safe and sleep.

Lock Tannis, a Soynite, didn't aim his eyes at him.

Sabrina wasn't far.

Peter and Maggie were safe.

"I'm going to sleep," Jake said. His body pressed against the blue comforter as safety covered him. "We had to deal with a lot today, and we're going to deal with a lot in the future. But I need sleep. Try not to think about Lock Tannis. He isn't here. We don't have to deal with him today. Remember that."

Sabrina approached the bed's other side. She moved onto the bed. Jake couldn't see Sabrina as she rested on her side.

They had slept in each other's beds years ago.

It now seemed as if they would sleep beside each other as teenagers. Soon.

"Is this okay?" Sabrina said.

"Yeah," Jake said.

The girl's hand came to his arm. Jake put his hand on Sabrina's. Warmth mingled. They had spent too many years not knowing Sabrina had been born as a Majestic, but the truth had been revealed. Jake and Sabrina's bond maintained its strength. That hadn't changed. And it didn't have to.

"I love you," Sabrina said.

The boy grinned.

"I love you too, Reese," Jake said.

They slept.