Chapter Two: The Shadow Performs Only Once

“Will that really happen?” It nodded and raised one finger. “I get one question?” The shadow shook its head and drew a crooked 1. Then it performed: the rig collapsing, Lu intervening, something being seized and pushed into his chest. Its outline darkened. A door unfolded at its feet, and it stepped through. Stop one event. Take one power. The moment Lu understood, the shadow applauded. “What's the price?” Electricity returned. The shadow vanished. At one in the morning, Lu contacted the plaza's structural contractor, who refused to release plans. The fire department treated his prophecy as a threat. His director assumed he was negotiating for more money. At three, Isabel Vega knocked on his door. “You have twenty-one hours,” she said.