My body fell on top of the bed in my room. Theo laid next to me. We were both looking up towards what appeared to be a white ceiling, like you would see in any bedroom, but I wondered if it was actually real. So much about Merak was still a mystery. Things could constantly change.

My thoughts were racing from everything that happened recently, but I couldn't imagine being alone right now. I had asked him to stay. Right now, I needed to know Theo was near me. It was the one thing calming me down. I felt safe.

"Can we trust Samuel? Audrina? Anyone on the team?" My fingers entwined with one another.

Theo was quiet for several seconds before finally saying, "Yes. I'm confident we can trust all of them." He rolled onto his stomach and looked over at me. His pale blue eyes shone in the darkness. "Esa, I know you don't remember much about our time on Earth, but Samuel has always looked after us—"

"He's also lied numerous times and apparently Audrina fell for his deceit and made me believe I was once looking at my old self. I think that is what upsets me the most right now. I've always trusted her. She has been a true friend."

"I understand, but a lot of us have lied or been mislead. It's not entirely Audrina's fault. I know she has a good heart and she believes in you Esa. Don't discount her so quickly."

I bit down on my bottom lip. Theo had a point. I knew about Marie's sisters, but I hadn't told any of them. I was still trying to figure everything out, before I admitted that I had spoken with the Regency. The sisters had questioned why Marie returned. They thought she was coming back to steal and would then leave, but that didn't make sense. Marie was back for good. She had brought all of us here. The Regency obviously hadn't seen all of the Ciphers in the workout arena a little bit ago. She wasn't planning on going anywhere, but she might just be planning to overthrow the Regency, but that seemed a little far fetched.

"Theo, I need—"

Theo's head popped up. His head cocked to the side. A serious expression on his face. "What is it Esa? I can hear it in your voice, you're not telling me something."

I thought about everything I wanted to say right now, but then realized I wanted more time to process it all before telling him and the rest of the team about the sisters. I also wanted to understand why Marie decided to return.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Never mind. We can talk later."

Theo's eyebrows narrowed. "Esa, you obviously have something to say. Why are you being so secretive right now?"

"I'm not. I did have something to say, but I need more time to process my thoughts before I tell you. I think it's too reckless for me to say anything right now without more information. Please trust me."

"Information?"

"I saw something today that brought new perspective to my thoughts about this place."

"But you don't want to talk to me me about it—"

"Not yet. I promise. I will tell you very soon, but I need some more time."

Theo grew quiet as his breathing began to slow down. I could tell he was frustrated with me, but one day he would understand. I needed more information, but I also didn't know what Marie could hear us saying right now.

"Are we safe here?" I asked in the darkness. My fingers couldn't stop from moving in random directions. All of my senses felt alive right now, but also as if they just wanted to find a reason to exist.

"I don't know. Obviously, we must be somewhat safe. Merak was once our home or at least the RaCO flowing through our veins had a place on this planet."

Theo was right. I was focused on the present day, but I really wanted to know about our history. Our team all had RaCO flowing through their blood, but we didn't know anything about the beings that created us. Mine was the easiest to track since I was Marie's direct off-spring, but we needed to find out about Theo, Audrina, Gave and Luther.

I sat up. "Theo, you and I obviously have a very long history. We need to find out more about our past lives?"

"Why?" He mumbled. "We already know you are royalty. Besides, our relationship was on the human level, it had nothing to do with Merak."

"Don't you want to know about us before they put the RaCO into our bodies?"

"Yes and no." He scratched at his neck. "I don't really care anymore. Nothing makes sense. We all had normal lives at one point, but then that changed and I don't really think there is anyway to go back in time and correct this mess."

I took in a deep breath. Why was Theo acting this way? It didn't make sense.

"I don't understand you," I rolled over onto my side to stare at him. "We are strong enough that we could correct it if we wanted to. We just need to get back to Earth."

He cleared his throat. "Esa, I'm sorry. It scares me what else we might learn."

I held up my hand at his last statement. "Let's not talk anymore."

"Esa, I'm not always going to say things that make you happy."

"Theo, we can't just sit off to the side and pretend there isn't a bigger reason she brought us all back. There is a reason she selected the RaCO that is in your body as well as for Luther, Audrina and Gave. She didn't just chose random RaCO. There's a bigger reason you all were among the first turned, like me."

Theo let out a soft chuckle. "I doubt any of us are royalty like you."

"Maybe. Maybe not, but we should ask."

"She's not going to tell us."

"I agree. I don't think she will tell us anything, but Samuel just might."

Theo let out a deep breath. "Then why hasn't he already told us."

"Because we haven't asked," I sat up and jumped off the bed. "Let's go talk with him now."

We walked out into the main hallway and knocked on the first door. Gave answered. We knocked on the next one. It was Luther. Audrina answered the last door. Samuel walked up behind her. "We wondered when you guys would come over here. I'm sure you have more questions."

My jaw dropped. "We're you listening to our conversation?"

Samuel shook his head. "No. I just knew that once all of you had some time to think, you would come and find me." He grabbed for my hand. "All of you hold on."

We all disappeared and ended up somewhere else. The new room was dimly lit.

"Where are we?"

"In a safe spot," he responded. "We can talk here, but we can't be gone too long."

"Does Marie know we are here?"

"No, she's very smart and good, but she's not all-knowing. She does have limitations."

I cleared my throat as I looked at the rest of the team. "The RaCO in Luther, Audrina, Gave and Theo. Where is it from? Why was it selected?"

Samuel's eyes gleamed. "Good question. You are all a part of the precious elite here on Merak. Unfortunately, you all died when the evil attacked, but Marie plans to let her sisters know about your existence very soon."

My lower jaw dropped. Samuel had mentioned the Regency.

Theo crossed his arms over his chest. "Sisters? Do you mean there are more Marie's out there?"

"There are four more. In all the Regency is five sisters. They rule Merak, but Marie was always the dominant one. You can imagine how surprised I was when she jumped on my ship."

"Samuel, do you know the sisters?"