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“Let’s compromise. How about I slam the door open rather than kicking it?” he suggests.

I contemplate it for a second then nod. “I agree to your terms.”

He rolls his eyes then places his hand on the doorknob. We burst into the directors' conference room, the door slamming against the wall, and everyone turns to look at us. At the front of the room stands Director Young with my father in cuffs next to her and looking at the ground. When she sees us, Director Young freezes and her jaw goes slack. She quickly corrects her face. My father’s head snaps up, his eyes filling with tears as he examines me from top to bottom. I wink at him, then turn my attention to the directors.

“What is the meaning of this?” Director Onai demands.

I stroll across the room until I am at the opposite end of the table from Director Young. I turn to locate Aiden and see he is leaning against the wall. He nods his head once as an encouragement to continue. Director Young steps forwards, clearing her throat to ensure everyone can clearly hear whatever horseshit is about to leave her mouth.

“Directors, here is Joyce Parker, the proof of Director Jackson’s disregard for Eden. If he would manipulate the system for his daughter, imagine what else he is capable of.”

Everyone nods their heads in agreement…except Director Onai, the director of Hell. I look at her with an arched eyebrow.

She shrugs, twisting the gold ring on her finger. “Director Jackson mentioned to me ten years ago about having a daughter. He let it slip that her name was Joyce.” She pauses and gives me a look. “I doubt it was a coincidence that your name is also Joyce. What happened in court was just confirmation of what I already knew.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask.

“Director Taevian is the kindest and most caring man I’ve ever met. He deserved some happiness.” She points to Director Young. “Plus, I don’t believe a word coming out of her mouth.”

Director Young glares at Director Onai. “As a director, you should not let personal feelings blind you from the truth.” She pauses, making it a point to look at each director. “I have served as a director for the longest. As you all can see, I care deeply about Eden. For Eden to continue in its glory, we need a centralized power. Look what happens when one director uses his role for personal reasons.”

I say, “You’re forgetting one thing—you’re the person who actually did all the things you are accusing my father of.”

“How could you make accusations against Director Young, Ms. Parker? It is clear Director Taevian has a pattern for blatantly disregarding the Reaper’s Code of Conduct,” Director Woody of the Reaper’s Resources department admonishes. I roll my eyes at him.

“Please, do tell. What reason would he have to take over Eden?”

Director Woody shakes his head. “That’s for him to answer during his trial.”

Mac bursts into the room looking disheveled and rushes to Director Young’s side. Before he can speak, Valerie’s voice sounds over the intercom. Ah, it’s time for the show. I wish I had some popcorn.

“Reapers of Eden, Attorney Joyce Parker has made a special request.”

We hear her shuffle for a moment, then Director Young’s and my voice begins to play over the intercom.

“As I was saying before, hostile takeovers are for weak minded men. My plan was simple—make it as though Eden is slowly falling apart. I provide the problem, and I will also be the solution. The problem? Eden needs one central leader. Obviously having directors is not working. Solution? Me. But your father figured me out and planned to expose me. So, I had to threaten him with something—or should I say someone—that would keep his mouth shut, you.”

Everyone in the room gasps, their stares directed at Director Young. The recording keeps going.

“So what? You’re going to threaten to hurt me? News flash. I can’t die again. Congrats, that’s the best villainous plan I’ve ever heard.”

Director Young lets out an evil laugh over the intercom, a sound most have not heard before.

“No. Of course not. I’m going to give him a choice because Eden is all about free will.”

“I have something you hold precious. Your daughter. So, you have a choice. You either join my side or I’ll make sure you never see your daughter again.”

I begin clapping, Aiden watching me with a smile on his face. Everyone switches their attention to my father at the sound of him speaking.

“Then, she proceeded to shoot my daughter with ‘The Obliterator’,” my father says, “right in front of me. I thought she was gone forever.”

“How are you standing before us? Never has a soul survived that,” Director Davis asks, shock emanating from him as he looks at me.

I lift my wrist to show them the scythe tattoo. “When we were on the run from the reapers working under Director Young, Aiden took one of the mini tattoo machines from the armory. He knew it was one of the ways to protect me. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to get him out of Hell—where she placed him—and come here to reveal her plans.”

Director Young begins, “Another blatant disrespect for rule and procedure—”

I groan in annoyance. “Please, for the love of everything, shut up.”