3

I’m sure Ashley got her to sing a couple times.

Micah had tried to get them to come here, but they wouldn’t. I grabbed a pillow and screamed. Not only because my head hurt, but because I was sick of this whole Ashley won’t come here bullshit. Rhea asked me, “But why?”

I snarked, “Well, wasn’t that the fifty million dollar question? Why WON’T she come here?”

It hurt my heard.

The information we had was that she never had. So, WHY on GOD’s green earth was she SO damn opposed to coming here? Lexi seemed determined to get them here. Micah and I locked eyes, the knowledge that she wouldn’t passed between us without words.

Rhea muttered, “I agree, barring Goddess intervention.”

Micah said the band was mostly made up of Black Path pack members, a Witch, and a Demon. Now I had a full blown headache. Pounding spikes into my head bad. Something about that made sense about something else. What was it?

When I looked up, I noticed Micah and Max had run off. I was going to fire off an email to Ashley. I couldn’t believe she was in a band and didn’t tell me. Rhea snorted, “She knew you’d try to use that to get her here.”

I grumbled, “You’re being unhelpful.”

Rhea laughed, “Truthful.” I answered, “Well, now I know.” EJ accurately pointed out Ashley was a bit self-deprecating.

It was sad because she was such a bad ass, but this whole thing with her family really shaped her. She was only fourteen when they died, and everyone blamed her. That was formative for a teenage girl. She was good at everything she put her mind to, just like Mel.

That thought send a jolt of pain so hard Haley was worried instantly. She studied me then announced there was nothing physically wrong with me for her to heal. Not to disagree, but there was something wrong.

Rhea linked, “That’s not good Elise. As a Fairy healer, the strongest one ever, she should know we have a headache.”

I asked, “What does it mean?”

Rhea sighed, “I don’t know, but I know it's nothing good.”

Haley learned we all got them and was pissed, to put it mildly. I could see the gears working in her mind. She had an idea, but something about it was tripping her up. Her gazes at Alexander and EJ told me it was them getting headaches that didn’t make sense to her.

Aside from their families, Ashley and Melanie were like the same damn person. Something about this made me think harder. I felt like I was almost there when Phil ran in screaming about the phone. There was an attack on Alpha Nathan McDermont’s pack.

EJ didn’t wait, he popped us into the action. I saw Alpha Nathan clinging to his Luna’s dead body, sobbing. I actually gasped in shock. I’d met her multiple times and she was so kind. She’d brought me pie after my Luna ceremony and gave me her number if I ever needed some help.

Fury filled me and I shifted. I linked Rhea, “Rip these remaining rogues to shreds!”

Rhea snarled, “I am ALL over that.”

I fought with Alexander and EJ by my side. I gave full control to Rhea feeling like we were missing a piece of us. A piece I knew and just couldn’t get here. It was Melanie. She should be here fighting with us. By Alexander’s side. She would’ve turned them into minced meat for this.

Once we’d killed the remaining rogues, we shifted back. I couldn’t look at Alpha Nathan, so I looked at EJ. He was my whole world. I didn't want to imagine the kind of pain Alpha Nathan was in right now. Rhea snarled, “Never.”

Hopefully not. I couldn’t lose him.

Theo popped in confused. He was usually in the Hackura realm when we did things with the McDermont’s. We weren’t close with them, just allies. I linked Alexander, “The Beta is trying to crawl to the forest, but his mate is over by Luna…”

I trailed off.

Alexander squeezed my shoulder, “I know her name Elise, it’s ok.”

My heart sank when the Beta announced both his daughter and Alpha McDermont’s were taken. Jane McDermont’s eighteenth birthday was a few weeks ago and I’d sent her a present. Both of them actually.

Alpha Nathan lost it. His son was barely keeping it together. His mother was dead, and his sister was missing along with his future Beta’s sister. He was weeks away from becoming the Alpha. This was the last thing he needed.

Popping to them didn’t work. I wanted to look at my mate who was thrown back, but I was looking at Theo. He looked off. He was sniffing the air and clearly talking to his wolf. My heart began to sink. Was one of the girls Theo’s mate? Rhea howled in despair.

I linked him, “Theo?”

He didn’t answer, he just kept taking deep breaths. He began to fidget. Rhea whimpered in my head. We both knew our brother was about to be hurting. I turned out that Jane McDermont’s was his.

When he started trying to pop to her in desperation, I didn’t know what to do. I was frozen watching my little brother repeatedly appear and disappear. Rhea linked, “Barker won’t talk to me.”

Theo’s wolf was even shutting them out. This wasn’t good.

Angela got him calmed down, but I was worried about her now too. This was not her fault. She didn’t always see everything. That’s not how sight worked. I linked her, “Please don’t feel bad. No one blames you, Ang.”

She had tears in her eyes.

I wanted to tell her she was still training and learning about using her sight. She couldn’t stop everything, but it wouldn’t do any good. Rhea linked, “This was the reality of being a smaller pack that was far away from help when in danger. At least Brutus and our family could pop in. Otherwise, they’d have lost more.”

It was harsh but true.

Holoports were mentioned and I knew Haley was going to go off. Witches and Warlocks weren’t her favorite people. Haley looked at Eric and crossed her arms. She whispered, “Everyone needs to stop arguing about my campaign about dark witch bitches belonging in FUCKING DITCHES! Now they’ve hurt our son! When I find these witches bitches and warlock warts,”

She vowed, “AND I WILL find their asses, they are FUCKING dead! They are so motherfucking dead their SOULS should be scared.”

Eric squeezed her shoulders replying, “I won’t argue with you on that one, Angel.”

She nodded, “Good. I’m GOING to get more people on my side about that too. Fucking Witch bitches and Warlock warts have NEEDED to die and have for years are now on NOTICE.”

We got their scent, but Angela proved to be right. Not that anyone doubted that. Rhea reasoned, “The Ring has no idea what a big mistake they’d just made.”

I agreed, “It had to be them, and it was a massive miscalculation to attack our allies and take their pack members. Adding in that it’s Theo’s mate is worse.”

This was a taunt, but it was going to backfire. That thought pulled me up short. Where had our sniper been? Was she not watching out for the McDermont’s? Terror filled me. Was she hurt? Those questions swirled in my mind when we went home. I needed a distraction, so I emailed Ashley.

Ashley,

I planned to write to you earlier today, but now I find that I need to talk to you. I need to write down my feelings. Let’s start off with why I wanted to write to you in the first place. How the heck could you not tell me you’re in some famous supernatural band? You rebel, you!

Lexi Daniels is vexed she didn’t know about your band. I’m sure she’ll blow your email up wanting to get in touch. She’s determined to get you up here for one of her events even though Micah said he already tried but you said no. I hope you reconsider.

We could have lunch, dinner, even breakfast. Or coffee. Anything you’d like is fine by me. I’d just love to chat in person. I’m again in awe of all you’ve accomplished in your young life so far. Youngest Female Lead Warrior ever, and you’re in a popular band. You even teach the she wolves in your area how to fight. Seriously, do you have down time? Or is every minute of every day filled with activities?

Anyway, the other reason I’m writing is because there was an attack out here today. Our allies, the McDermont’s, were attacked. Their Alpha’s daughter, Jane, and the Beta’s daughter, Madeline, were kidnapped. We found out that Jane is Theo’s mate. He’s beside himself and I don’t know how to help him. I can’t imagine the fury and pain he feels. If anything happened to EJ, I can’t even imagine how I would feel.

Luna McDermont died today too. She was so kind. I just can’t process it all really. All I know is we need to find these women that are missing now. It constantly feels like I’m scratching the surface of something huge, only to come against walls. Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon.

Elise

I actually waited thirty minutes to see if she’d reply. Sometimes her replies were immediate, but this time she didn’t answer. I called Melanie, but she didn’t answer either. I sent her a text. Fifteen minutes later she replied. I wanted to spill everything, but we were still keeping her in the dark.

Instead of doing what I wanted, I just asked how Julliard was going. She sent me a clip of her new routine. She was such a beautiful dancer. I asked her where she was practicing because it didn’t look like Julliard in the previous clips I’d seen. She quickly told me she’d found this little studio she liked that inspired her. I frowned and watched the clip again. I just didn’t reply.

Rhea linked me, “I have your memories, so I know that studio is wrong for her to choose because she never would.”

I whispered, “I know.”

Melanie always said that she felt stifled in a studio. She had to create her dances outside because that’s where she was inspired. She practiced in studios, but they didn’t inspire her; nature did. My head began to pound.

I pushed all those strange thoughts aside and went upstairs. I managed to get some sleep, thinking about how Melanie was living her dream and we were protecting her by keeping her in the dark. We were right to do so because it all came back to her dream. Everything was fine and people change.

The weeks passed by in a haze of sadness. Ashley didn’t answer my email, and I was starting to get worried about her. I was working on disputes. Because I couldn’t focus on reality where Ashley wasn’t answering, and we ran into wall after wall on finding Jane and Madeline.

We were always a few days behind them at potential locations. We knew whatever was happening they were bleeding a lot. EJ suspected they’d been taking into the real undergrounds. Everything was a colossal mess right now.

Rhea reasoned, “But we are finally on the undergrounds tails.”

I agreed, “You’re right. They were running for their lives because we are right behind them. My email dinged and when I saw who it was relief flooded me. Ashley finally responded.

Elise,

Sorry… about a lot… but that I haven’t answered. I mean there’s so much to be sorry about but... I just mean that things were hectic lately. I am in The Rebels. The band… I mean... I’m not sure if I’d be classified as a rebel in general... I mean maybe... it’s possible…well depending on who said it’s a certainty for some…probably not you…maybe you…Moving on.

Anyway, I play the guitar. I thought you knew honestly… because well.. we are pretty popular. Gosh that sounded braggy. I’m not bragging... just a lot of people know the band… but you don’t… so that’s fine… it’s not that popular… I mean… it is but… not?

I do have several emails from Lexi Daniels, so I believe you about her wanting to get in touch. She’s… determined. That’s a word. Let’s go with that word. I told her it wouldn’t work out. The band could go without me of course, but I don’t know if they would.

I gave her Addison’s email in case, because it’s not like I refuse for everyone… that would be rude. The band always has that option, they just don’t do it. I mean I wouldn’t hold them back... they just… feelings and stuff... yeah….

I do have a lot going on all time. I like to stay busy. Not having things to do BORES me to no end. I always like having something to do. So, that’s why I’ve got a lot going on. I don’t like being bored. It’s terrible.

I am very sorry to hear about the attack. That was the main sorry in the beginning of the email... I am glad you are safe. I’m sure you figured out what to do for Alpha Theo Conners…. someone could mention to your in laws that naming pups after another Alpha…. Alpha Theo Bartlett… could confuse the masses… not that I didn’t enjoy that when he got older… you should’ve seen Edward Davis’s face when he thought Alpha Theo Conners was here… because they just called him Alpha Theo. I think I almost peed I laughed so hard…

That was not a necessary tangent… ugh! FOCUS!!! I’m sure you figured out what to do with your brother in law, because you are smart that way. You embody the perfect Luna and simply help by being yourself.

I am also sorry for the loss you must feel from losing an ally Luna. One who is kind… because sadly, those aren’t everywhere. Our Luna, if not for her pups would be broken. She is a good woman despite her mate being complete trash.

It breaks her heart that he turned into such a bad person. I somehow hate the gutless bastard in charge here more for that than I had previously. Seriously, I loathe that man… he’s truly awful. WHEW! Gotta stop or I’ll rant for HOURS about that rat faced cesspool.

I’m sure you will find the women who were kidnapped soon. Nothing can stand in your way. You are Luna Duchess Elise Conners after all.

Ashley

I read the line she didn’t like being bored fifteen times. Rhea was growling at the headache that was coming on. I sat there for ten minutes thinking because I knew someone else EXACTLY like that. EJ told me to get to the office. So, I closed my computer and took off.

I ran in hearing the sniper was on the line. Relief nearly knocked me over. Ashley emailed me and the sniper was back. Life was taking an upturn. Rhea linked, “Umm, Elise.”

I cut her off, “Don’t go there.”

Rhea sighed, “We are already going there.”

I shot back, “IF, and I say IF, the sniper and Ashley were the same person then the sniper clearly doesn't have a problem with being in this area. Ashley does. The sniper has been around here often.”

Rhea sighed, “Not too close though. The sniper is on the outskirts of several territories around here.”

She had a point that I didn’t want to think about.

Ashley was already busy enough. How could she possibly add this? Rhea linked, “She hates being bored. Her and Melanie really would rule the world if they met.”

I had been thinking earlier that Melanie couldn't stand to sit still for five seconds. She ALWAYS had to be doing something. Now Ashley did too? What were the odds? I mean, high obviously. Because Melanie was living her dream. Right?

I focused again when the sniper said she found Jane and Madeline. Relief coursed through me. I linked Dalton, “I’m having weird thoughts.”

He snorted, “I’d love to hear all about them in just a minute.”

For the first time I’d wished he hadn’t taken over as Alpha. I needed to talk through this now. I’d probably forget later or let it all go.

Rhea reasoned, “At least we can still link him, our other brothers and parents when we want to talk through something.”

I did love that. It was weird not being able to link Tristan or Jason after I joined Black Mountain. The family connection would never fade so I could always link a blood relative. I enjoyed that a lot.

The sniper had been getting people out of the undergrounds. I linked my wolf, “My god. How many of the male and female Werewolves or partials sent to us escaped from those?”

She muttered, “It could be a large number. No wonder they don’t talk. They are scared of going back.” Christ.

The Sniper faltered when Alexander asked her a question. She started to ramble, then almost like someone got her back on task, she focused. I was rubbing my temples. I looked up and saw Haley frowning with her eyes on me.

I looked away from her to the wall. Our allies were on the screen. Jason looked worse than the last time I saw him. He snarked with the sniper. To my surprise, she snarked back. Like siblings. I sat down in a chair because my head hurt so bad.

Eric linked me, “Elise?”

I answered, “It’s just a headache.”

Eric frowned. Eventually he said, “What are you thinking about Jason?” I gritted my teeth at the pain. I still answered, “Their fight seems like siblings who are pissed at each other.” Eric snorted, “True.” He then frowned and rubbed his head.

Haley looked between us both. She took out her phone and started texting. Someone was obviously arguing with her because she was typing angrily. She put her phone away looking extremely frustrated, which was odd for her. She was normally a vault.

Alexander got the sniper back on track. First, he flustered her, then she focused because he wanted her to. Dalton linked, “That’s weird, right? God my head. She likes him.”

I reasoned, “We knew that. Laxenread tell us that.”

He said, “Yeah, but…” He trailed off and I had the same feeling he did.

I had to shove those thoughts aside because my head was killing me. I focused on Haley. Her eyes narrowed when the sniper said we’d get six of the seven fighters tonight. My heart sank. I linked her, “Do you think the sniper is the seventh fighter?”

Haley answered, “Yes, I do. I think she’s going to fight to cover our rescue.”

I reasoned, “We could find her then.”

Haley argued, “The fight won’t be where we are going. I think she’s been fighting in the Underground for a long time. When the sniper rescued Julianna and Everly they said she had a salve on her back. I thought maybe she’d been whipped. But maybe she’d been in a fight with a wolf who half shifted and clawed her back.” I winced.

Rhea linked, “Dear goddess, could they do that?!”

I replied, “I doubt the undergrounds follow basic etiquette on fighting rules.”

I focused back on the conversation. The sniper was overly kind to Theo. Rhea mused, “So where she tore into Jase, she was tender about Theo being upset with her.” I asked, “Why though? That didn’t make sense. Theo sounds angrier than Jase.”

I had no answers I liked for that thought. The sniper gave us instructions. Jason and the sniper blew up at each other again. Jason was obviously still upset. I linked Dalton, “She’s reading off a script.”

He agreed, “That’s what it sounds like.”

I said, “She rambles.” He agreed, “Yup.” I pushed, “Like someone else.” My head hurt so bad I may cry. He replied, “Used to. Her etiquette coach trained it out of her.” Had she? Or when angry did she revert to it? Or was Ashley the sniper?

Then the sniper asked for me specifically. Rhea linked, “She knows our word means something. It’s someone we know.”

I didn’t want that to be true. I tried to smooth things over and gaped at the phone when she hung up after snarking more about Jason. Rhea said, “She didn’t hang up. Someone else did.”

I reasoned with my wolf, “Ashley can’t be the sniper. That’s a personal issue with Jase. She’s never even been to Red Run.”

Rhea sighed, “I just don’t know. I can’t think with this headache anymore.”

EJ got mad at Jason.

Dakota linked, “He’s struggling more every day. Nothing helps except talking to Mel. That’s brief and feels like it’s always put off or interrupted. I don’t know what to do.”

Neither did I because now he probably wouldn’t see her for a few weeks. With his nightmares I was certain he just needed to see her face.

Haley pulled everyone’s attention off Jason. Rhea linked, “She’s amazing.”

I agreed, “She’s giving him the space he needs. He knows he messed up, but he’s hurting.”

Rhea added, “And she’s making excellent connections everyone else missed.” I had so much to learn from her it was crazy.

That led to more headache discussions which nearly sent my mother in law into orbit with anger. I caught a hint of it through EJ before she shut it all down. That was bad. To feel that anger in my bond with EJ as if it was his meant she was raging pissed.

Rhea sang, “She’ll go kill someone for Bjourn.”

Probably. She needed to get her anger out and that was the best way for the Hackura to calm down. Fight it out. If she could help her brother and calm down she’d do it.

When she was pissed about the emergency rule, I frowned. Because it was Eric’s rule. Things were swirling in my mind. Things didn’t make sense. I linked Dalton, “Did they forget it was their rule?”

He reasoned, “Eric could’ve told her it was mutual. He’d do anything to protect her and his pups.”

Yeah, but he wouldn’t lie to her not just because she’d know if he was. He’d lay out the reasons. My head hurt so bad. I reached for Karina’s cookies that were sitting out and they helped right away. Obviously, I was just hungry. Dalton’s explanations made perfect sense. I was silly to question that.

I lost focus on the meeting as the planning went on around me. I slipped out to get some fresh air. I went on a run to our border just past the line with the Daniels. I stopped and shifted back, grabbed EJ’s shirt, and laid down on the ground.

I looked up at the sky and started calling on the one person who could send some divine intervention. “Moon Goddess, something is going on and I need answers. I need the headaches to stop so I can get the damn answers. Something is very wrong, I can feel it. I’m on the brink. Just please let me have a moment of clarity.”

I gave that a few minutes to work then started thinking.

My headache came roaring back. I glared at the sky, “So that’s a no then?”

I got nothing in response. I threw EJ’s shirt off, shifted back, and ran back home. I grabbed my clothes and went back inside. Everyone was gathering on the lawn. Eric was watching me closely.

I couldn’t be bothered to care. Rhea was hurt because the Moon Goddess didn’t answer our plea. I was beyond annoyed. Why couldn’t I just get a five minute break from this headache? Even a couple minutes. Something would click for me. I knew it.

EJ gave a speech rallying everyone going to the rescue. I couldn't help but stare at him with all the love I had in my heart when he mentioned there was another fighter we would work to save. He was such a good man.

I noticed Theo was vibrating with energy and anger. I linked him, “We will bring Jane home. We are going to get to her.”

Theo asked brokenly, “She’s not going to be in good shape, is she Elise? The sniper said they had her fighting too much because of how skilled she is.”

I evaded, “Alexander and your mom will be there. Jane will be fine. She will be in your arms tonight. She will be safe.”

I knew he knew I hadn’t answered his question because we both knew the answer. He replied, “Thank you.”

My focus turned to Emmaline Lyons. Her daughter Aria Lyons, now seventeen, was standing by her mom and gave her an encouraging smile. Lucas whisper yelled, “Aria, what are you doing here?”

She answered, “I’m going.”

He disagreed, “You aren’t.” She pleaded, “Daddy…” He cut her off, “You’re not even eighteen yet. Go home.” She sighed and popped out. It wasn’t really fair, she was more than ready.

Rhea snorted, “Alpha Males are very protective of daughters.”

Didn’t I know it? Rhea howled with laughter, “Yes, we do.”

It was worse for Aria though, because a lot of people were after her because of who she was in the Fairy prophecy. I didn’t have that, and I knew my mate my whole life. I suspected she knew hers as the strongest Soul Searcher and found it odd she hadn’t said who it was.

Everyone talked about Aria having some secret. Haley clearly knew about it, but no one else seemed to realize that. Or the obvious conclusion that the strongest Soul Searcher would know who her mate was. The question was why she didn’t bring him in. I was thinking her dad wouldn’t like him.

I focused on Emmaline hovering near Alpha Nathan McDermont. Nathan Conners had just given him a pep talk. Emmaline seemed to be debating something. She would start to open her mouth then shut it several times. She did it at least fifteen times before telling him to keep his heart open to his second chance mate.

Rhea gasped, “Holy crap. That was a lot. No wonder she struggled with whether or not she should tell him.”

Alpha Nathan looked stunned, and I felt for him. He couldn’t think about anything right now but his daughter, and no one blamed him.

We were popped in and Alexander immediately started hopping around. I linked Micah, “Why is he doing that?”

Micah answered, “He got an email with instructions. My dad and I are working on it. This code, it’s crazy good though.”

Something in his tone had me asking, “Do you know who wrote it?”

Micah evaded, “I don’t know, no.”

I pressed, “You suspect someone then?” Micah admitted, “I do. I’m trying to prove I’m right, but it’s harder than you’d think. Most coders use a special signature. I can’t crack this one.” I clarified, “Alexander got the email?” Micah nodded. It always came back to Alexander.

I pushed that aside and jumped down after EJ into the underground lair. I had to focus because this was about these fighters. I needed to get in the right headspace. Theo was gone the second he caught Jane’s scent. My heart clenched when he screamed for Haley. I asked Rhea, “Can you hear her heartbeat?”

Rhea answered, “It’s faint, but Haley can save her. We’ve seen her do that.”

I agreed, knowing Haley would tell Death himself to fuck off to save Theo’s mate.

EJ threw up his shield as shots were fired. I linked Theo, “Are they firing at you?”

Theo answered, “We are behind the solid door. Even if they were, the bullet would ricochet and hit them. Mom’s healing Jane, so we are in her bubble anyway. No one can get inside. Are you guys ok?”

I replied, “EJ’s got his shield up.”

Theo apologized, “I’m sorry I left you guys back there but her heartbeat….”

I cut him off, “Is getting stronger. I can hear it.” Alexander and a group of his Warriors easily took out the forces opposing us.

Rhea linked, “A Hackura took off for Madeline. This is a heartwarming shitshow.”

That was certainly a way to put it. I peeked in at Madeline, she was beaten to hell. I looked in on the other fighters knowing Alexander had that under control. They weren’t nearly as bad.

We all waited in Jane’s room. Madeline rushed in worried about her best friend. The second Jane woke up her eyes went to Theo’s. She sobbed into his neck as he comforted her. Madeline went to her friend. Her words brought me up short. They’d met the sniper.

EJ had drawn the same conclusion. I saw Katie Cambridge studying the girls. She stepped out to make a call and I followed her. She was cursing about her dad. I frowned. When she hung up, she saw me. I asked, “Are you ok?”

Katie sighed, “Somewhat. I’m sick of this Ring. My brothers and I found all my dad’s notes. The dark magic he used, we know it’s his signature. Obviously if an object is spelled, we’d know there was a spell, but we can recognize our dad’s magic from a mile away. Those girls, they have magic my dad used on them.”

I frowned, “I thought you could sense all dark magic.”

Katie smiled, “I wish, but no. This group tends to use our father’s dark magic. Part of that calls to us since he was our father after all.”

I conceded, “That makes sense.” Katie sighed, “I need to tell EJ.” I saw him questioning other fighters.

Alexander walked back out of Jane’s room, and I followed him. I stopped him asking “Are you ok?”

Alexander cursed, “Fuck no I’m not! The sniper is letting herself get beaten to hell in fights before she wins.”

I blinked, “What?”

Alexander nodded, “Yup. She’s good enough to win. I don’t know if she’s doing it to draw a bigger crowd for more money. Really, I don’t know what she could possibly be thinking. We need to find her before she goes too far in this quest.”

I reasoned, “I don’t think she’ll take it too far. She told us in the beginning. She wants revenge.”

Alexander nearly shouted,”

But for what?” I shrugged, “I don’t know, but that tells you she won’t take it too far. She needs revenge more than money.”

Alexander sighed, “I guess. I’m really worried about her. This is because of me.”

I whispered, “I’m worried too, but this is not about you.”

He argued, “Isn’t it? She won’t come to us because she thinks I would hate her. Not you, EJ, my parents, or siblings. It’s me. I have to try something. I have to stop this.” How was he going to do that? I didn’t ask out loud and he popped away. I hoped whatever he did worked.

I walked back down and found EJ studying plans. I could feel his frustration, so I wrapped my arms around him.

We would figure this out. Our trip with my family for his birthday was in a few weeks.

Maybe some time away would do the trick. Some relaxation could clear my mind, and I could finally figure this out. This would be good. We would get some rest, and things would become clear. They had to.