Behind me, a familiar voice roared, “STOP!” The tone was so commanding even Nero’s guards and family members turned toward the broken blast doors. On the threshold stood Will Solace, radiating brilliant light. At his left was Luguselwa, alive and well, her stumps now outfitted with daggers instead of silverware. At Will’s right was Rachel Elizabeth Dare, holding a large ax wrapped in a golden bundle of rods: the fasces of Nero. “No one hits my boyfriend,” Will thundered. “And no one kills my dad!”
