Nick had been hearing a ton about his sister from their parentstely, and the walls at home, stered with her awards, were proof of her academic brilliance. "So, aiming for Prestige College after the SATs next year?" Nick asked casually. Mirabe nodded, a hint of pride in her eyes. "I''ve got a direct admission offer."


    Nick''s lips curled into a smile. He stood up, walked over, and yfully ruffled her hair. "Way to go, kiddo!"


    Mirabe, who had lost count of how many times she had her head patted, could only think, "Is this the wrong script?"


    Nick pulled his hand back and added, "By the time you''re in college, I might head over to Riverdale too. I could keep youpany."


    Mirabe looked surprised. "You''re going to work in Riverdale?"


    "Looks like it," Nick confirmed with a nod.


    An old grad school buddy had been nagging him to join the Riverdale Research Institute for a while, but he had always turned it down.


    Back then, returning to the US wasn''t on his radar, but now... Nick nced at Mirabe. Since his sister was going to college in Riverdale, it was worth considering.


    Mirabe nodded in agreement. Nick, with his international awards and reputation as a research fanatic, would be wasted in a regr hospital.


    The Research Institute would be perfect.


    "By the way, I''ll continue the acupuncture treatment tonight," Mirabe changed the subject.


    She was keen to test her new psychotherapy techniques.


    Nick didn''t object; having tasted the sweet relief of a good night''s sleep, he was bing increasingly wary of insomnia and wasn''t keen on experiencing it again.


    After dinner, with her homework done, Mirabe carried a box to Nick''s room, finding his door ajar.


    Zach was there too, discussing something with Nick, and Summer''s name came up.


    Mirabe paused at the door, hand mid-air, hesitating to knock.


    They were both standing sideways, so it didn''t take long for them to notice Mirabe at the doorway.


    Zach, tempering his expression, pushed up his sses and smiled warmly. "Looking for me, Mirabe?"


    Nick threw Zach a nce. "She''s here for me."


    Zach felt like another rival had entered the fray for attention.


    "Am I interrupting?" Mirabe asked casually, lowering her hand.


    "Just shooting the breeze," Nick replied, eyeing the box in Mirabe''s hands. "Needle time?"


    "If you guys are done," Mirabe responded.


    Nick nced at Zach and then said, "We''re good."


    Mirabe lightly hummed in acknowledgment, stepped in, and ced the box on the side table. She flicked open the sp, and the box sprang open.


    Zach moved closer, intrigued by the box''s sophisticated opening mechanism. "Is this some kind of high-tech gadget?"


    As he curiously reached out to touch it, Mirabe swatted his hand away. "Curiosity killed the cat," she warned.


    Zach retracted his hand with a sheepish grin. "I''m your brother, not a cat. Stingy!"


    Mirabe had already pulled a slender silver needle from its sheepskin wrap. Its gleaming surface caught the light of the room, adding an air of danger to the scene.


    Zach took a few discreet steps to the side, maintaining a respectful distance.