The Shadow Crosser (The Storm Runner 3)

Brooks gripped my hand like an iron vise. Zane, what have we done?

Marco’s eyes fixed on mine. I didn’t know him well enough to be able to read his expression, but one thing was certain: there would be no truth tonight.

Only more secrets and lies.

It was hours before the godborns chilled out and finally caught some z’s. But even in the peaceful setting of the Montana mountains, with everyone else deep in their dreams, I was haunted by the memory of that terrible chant: Godborn power!

How could they have turned so quickly? If they were that hungry for power and control, then they were just like the gods. Maybe Itzamna was right—everyone had good and bad, dark and light in them. I was glad I hadn’t been wearing Itzamna’s sunglasses. I couldn’t imagine how he would feel knowing the godborns were rebelling when he was doing all he could to save SHIHOM and the World Tree.

By midnight, we had a plan. We included Hondo, Brooks, Ren, Alana, Adrik, Rosie, and, yes, Marco.

I was skeptical of including Marco, but he had a valid argument. “Don’t hate me because I’m such a great actor,” he practically sang. “I said those things so the godborns would think we’re are all on the same team. Come on, man, put on your strategic hat!”

“Aren’t we?” Ren asked. “On the same team?”

Brooks nodded. “We have to bring the godborns back around,” she said. “There were some who were not on Team Takeover. I saw it on their horrified faces.”

“We can’t bring anyone around,” I said, “until we bring the gods back from 1987.”

We met behind the barn at dawn to kick off our quest. Here’s how things were going to go down: Hondo would be the shadow crosser. Marco would be the 1987 thread’s connection to the present. He didn’t seem too excited about the job. “You mean I have to carry around a gold rope the whole time?”

“You are the strongest,” I reminded him, which only made him grunt.

Brooks, Ren, Rosie, and I would find and rescue the gods while Alana stayed in Montana to hold down the fort/ranch (and hoped no one mutinied).

Itzamna told us he could communicate with us in the Old World, but not in 1987—that would be too far back.

Mom popped into the barn with Louie in tow. “And where do you think you’re going?”

Rosie wagged her tail and ran over to greet her.

“I told her everything, including the godborn treachery,” Louie said.

I groaned and steeled myself for an argument. I wanted to strangle Louie. We really didn’t have time for this….

Mom patted Rosie absentmindedly, then marched over to me. “1987? Really?”

“Don’t try and stop me—”

“Would you listen if I did?”

“No.”

Rosie let out a small whine like she was sticking up for me.

Mom rubbed Rosie’s chest and added, “Then I’ll help out here.”

Whoa, that was unexpected. I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m good at keeping kids in line,” she said. “Well, except you, Zane.”

“I’m not,” Louie said. “But I can freeze anyone who tries to bounce.”

Alana smiled at my mom. “We could definitely use the help.”

Adrik stretched his long arms over his head and yawned. “I wish I could go with you guys. 1987 was so cool. Such a sick year for music.”

“Please,” Mom said, batting her hand in the air. “1987 was enough the first time.”