Chapter 158

** Ronnie’s POV ** Jake’s lab smells clean, like antiseptic, now mixed with the fresh coffee I’ve just brewed. Machines hum softly in the background, lights flicker across monitors, and I can hear the faint rush of water running through the filtration tanks that line the far wall. He’s somewhere behind me, muttering to himself as he retests the samples from the creek. I’ve been here for three hours, staring at data that doesn’t make sense. The readings from the creek are unlike anything I’ve ever seen… pure, balanced, almost self-healing. Water doesn’t do that. Not even water touched by Moon Child energy. “Paige’s DNA sample would really help,” Jake says finally, not looking up from the machine. I rub a hand over my face. “I know. She’s been through enough, though. I wanted to wait until she’d had some time to adjust before I asked.” “Well,” he says, straightening, “if what you’re telling me about her gifts is true, then we can’t wait much longer. I need something to compare the readin