"So here is what we are going to do. We will announce that both Prince Zec and Princess Odilia perished. Jabieko, you will be named the new Ambassador for the Ucte on Earth. Your ultimate mission — which needs to be completed in haste — will be to find the Prince and Princess and terminate them with extreme prejudice. In the meantime, you are to keep Zec and Odilia dead in the minds of the Earthlings and the Azhalians living there. Jabieko, you cannot fail again!"
Chapter 17
Amy strolls into Mrs. Heartlocker's class and sits down at her desk. A moment later, Eva taps her on the shoulder. "Did you get my notes?"
"Yes, thank you," Amy says. "You must enjoy this class. There were a lot of details and information I couldn't even find in the reading."
"It makes me feel at home," Eva says with a smile.
Amy raises an eyebrow, wondering what kind of nerd she's gotten herself caught up with. As the bell sounds, their other classmates settle into their seats. Amy looks around and catches a glimpse of Zack, who's sitting near the window.
"Good afternoon, class," Mrs. Heartlocker announces in her high-pitched voice. She syncs her laptop to the 3D whiteboard. A hologram image of the Azhalian solar system appears on the screen with the day's topic written in large italic font: The Euperian people of Azha, their customs, and their culture. She presses the depiction of Planet Azha. The classroom turns dark and is inundated with 3D images of zooming galaxies and constellations.
"You have all heard of King Uphu and Queen Liaj. Unfortunately, we know little about the other members of the royal family. In Euperian culture, it's customary for princes and princesses to be kept from the public eye until they reach adulthood.
"After the capture of the Euperian capital by the Ucte, many Euperians refugees fled to Earth. They have taught us a great deal about their culture, customs, and daily life. For example, this painting depicts two individuals whom we believe to be the last Euperian prince and princess."
Amy feels like a ton of bricks have fallen on top of her — these are the same people she's been having those bizarre dreams about. "Zec and Odilia!" she shouts.
"Excuse me?" Mrs. Heartlocker asks.
Amy realizes that she must try to compose herself. She looks around and sees that everyone is staring at her.
"Are you okay, Amy? You look a bit pale," Mrs. Heartlocker asks.
"I'm fine," Amy says. "Sorry."
"Like I was saying," Mrs. Heartlocker continues, "it's believed that these two were the son and daughter of King Uphu and Queen Liaj. Unfortunately, they died during the siege, so we might never be completely certain that these two were truly their children."
Eva sees Amy turn pale. She touches Amy's shoulder and asks if she's okay. Amy doesn't answer — can't answer.
When the bell sounds, Amy jams her things into her bag and hustles out of the classroom. She's now convinced that Zack and his sister haven't told her the truth; that they are, in fact, Zec and Odilia. She walks into the restroom and drops her backpack onto the countertop with a thud. She turns on a faucet and splashes water onto her face, then looks up and stares at the mirror and ponders what she should do.
I have to talk to Zack. I need to know the truth.
Amy steps out of the restroom — and speak of the devil, Zack is just down the hall, staring blankly into his locker. She races over and pulls him into the boy's restroom.
"You lied to me!" Amy whispers fiercely. "You're Zec!"
Zack's eyes widen. "I have never lied to you, Amy. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Amy grabs Zack's shoulders with both hands. "Read my mind, Zack."
Zack doesn't know what to say.
"Read it! I know you can!" she demands.
"I can't. I promised myself I would never read or see into anybody's mind, except Olivia's. That's a line I never want to cross."
"Please, Zack, do it. I'm begging you, please read my mind. I need to know the truth, it's killing me."
Zack watches a tear roll down Amy's face. He wants to help her, but he's always believed that it's innately unfair and immoral to penetrate another person's psyche.
"Zack! Please!"
He resistance crumbles. "Okay, Amy. Okay, I will," he says gently. They lock eyes, and Zack places his hands on her temples. Cautiously, he opens his mind and unleashes his power —
—only to stagger back against the nearest wall, staring at her in disbelief. Not only can he see her dreams, but he can also perceive the reality of his existence — Mom, Dad, and his life on Azha. He is Zec, the rightful heir to the Euperian throne!
Amy looks at him blankly. "You didn't know," she whispers.
Two boys walk in and look at Zack and Amy with confused expressions. Amy grabs her backpack, glances at Zack one more time, and rushes out of the boy's restroom.
Zack remains frozen by his thoughts. How could this be true? Do his Earth parents know? Have they been lying to him and his sister all this time?
Nothing makes sense to him anymore.
❖❖❖
Angry, despondent, and boiling with frustration, Zack hurries to his car, switches to manual mode, and drives toward home at full speed. What hurts most is finding out that the people he thought were his parents have lied to him. As his mind churns to come up with some sort of reasonable justification for his parents' deception, Zack turns left — and a loud horn blares. His car unexpected rams another vehicle from behind, smacking Zack into the windshield and then flinging him into the back seat as his shoulder belt fails.
He can see two men in a black SUV in front of him. The rear of the SUV is squashed like an
