Ambassador Jabieko stands behind the podium and begins to address the reporters in a stern, no-nonsense voice. Halfway through his speech, he announces King Zheteg's first proclamation to the Earthlings:
"All Azhalians on Earth, including the unregistered, must report to an Azhalian embassy or consulate within the next thirty days for a mandatory review of your visa status."
The ambassador pauses and looks around at the cameras and reporters before continuing.
"Any Azhalian who does not appear for this review of their visa status within thirty days will be considered a criminal. Those individuals will be summarily tracked down and immediately deported."
Zack turns toward his mother, Isabella, who looks nervous. His father, Jim, is staring straight at him. Jim stands suddenly, and walks out of the house without saying a word.
"Don't mind your father," Isabella says. "He's just worried about you and your sister. But everything is going to be fine. Just have fun at the party tonight, and keep an eye on Olivia."
"Well, I'm not worried. We all knew this would eventually happen when the old king died," Zack says. "I really doubt that the orphans of a couple of lowly Euperian servants will suddenly become a priority of the UN. They have more important things to worry about, like EIRF."
"Yes, but you know your dad. Just give him space. Have fun tonight, and make sure you're back before curfew."
"Sure, of course."
Olivia walks down the stairs, looking radiant. She's been in her room for hours, prepping for the big dance, making sure she looks drop-dead gorgeous for the senior boys. She does, as far as her brother can tell. She's dressed in a fashionable blue tunic with black leggings, and her long, dark-brown hair is slightly curled. She's not wearing makeup, because their mother won't allow it, but she did put on her favorite lip-gloss.
"For someone who really wanted to go to this party, you sure took your time," Zack grumbles.
"What's the rush?" Olivia asks. "You worried Amy's going to forget about you?"
He flushes a bit. "Real funny. Let's go."
Zack can barely contain his excitement on the drive to the community center. His heart is beating fast, and he tries to release some of his tension by thumping his hands on the steering wheel to the beat of the music pulsing through the car speakers. He glances at his sister and is surprised to see her frowning at him. "What's wrong? If you're worried about Dad, he's gonna be fine."
"Seriously, stop reading my mind, it's annoying," Olivia snaps. "You never read Mom's, Dad's, or anyone else's, so why pick on me?"
Zack shrugs, and eases to the back of the line of cars waiting to get clearance to exit the city at the police checkpoint. "Sis, your pass-card."
Olivia hands him her card. "I mean it, Zack. You need to stop."
"You're right. But I'm just trying to look after my little sister."
"Well, knock it off."
"Pass-cards," an officer demands, pointing a flashlight inside their car.
"Here you go, officer," Zack says. "We're just headed to the community center for a school dance."
The officer grabs both cards without saying a word, and slaps each against the card reader concealed in the rubber sleeve on his arm. He waits for the sound that signals that everything is okay, and hands the cards back to Zack. "Have a safe night and be back before curfew," the officer says curtly.
"Yessir, we will," Zack says and drives off, not put off by the brusqueness of the cop. This time.
❖❖❖
"Holy crap!" Zack shouts, aghast.
The community center is in flames. Horrified teens are pouring out of the building and running in their direction. Some have bloodied faces and torn clothes. Zack tells Olivia to stay in the car, and jumps out and runs toward the building. He has to find Amy.
As he struggles through the stream of his panicked classmates, Zack spots Mike, Amy's on-again, off-again boyfriend, trying to break free of his friend Brady's grip.
"Amy's in there!" Mike shouts. "LET GO OF ME!"
"It's not safe, man," Brady says. "We gotta wait for the fire department."
Mike stops resisting and starts sobbing as Zack runs into the inferno with only one thing on his mind: to save Amy. He sprints up the rapidly disintegrating staircase, the stench of burning wood and melting metal searing his lungs as he moves deeper into the building. Most of the third-floor roof has completely caved in, and the tables and chairs are all engulfed in flames. He stops and looks around the space.
Zack, are you okay? an ethereal voice echoes in his head. You're putting us in jeopardy. Did you find her yet?
Zack can't help feeling impressed. His kid sister's telepathic powers have definitely gotten stronger.
Back in the car, Olivia concentrates on maintaining communication with her brother amid the screams of her classmates and the ambulance sirens. Small drones buzz past her and start circling the building. Her brother needs to get out before they're discovered.
Inside the building, Zack can barely breathe in the blinding smoke. He desperately replies to his sister: Help me find her! The smoke is too thick, and I can't pick up any thoughts from her.
Olivia disengages from her body and uses their telepathic connection as a bridge to him.
Zack, the authorities are here. We need to hurry.
Her brother is on his knees, gasping for air. Olivia scans the surrounding area.
She's five steps to your left, under those steel beams.
Zack takes a deep breath, summoning his power. He stands up and pushes his hands to the left. The smoke follows his gesture. He pauses when he sees Amy unconscious on the floor, covered in blood. A steel beam lies on top of her; a second beam has punctured her left shoulder. Zack focuses on the first beam, opens his hand, and summons a silvery wave of electricity from the building's wiring. Clean air
