"I've got it!" Venus promised, grinding her heels into the carpet. She sucked in a breath---an object of such immense, terrifying power. Her mind raced through the number of ways this could go wrong. But no matter the risks, her team needed her. The captured needed her.

She whipped the chain off from around her waist once more, spun toward the crystal, and willed it to latch on. Fingers crossed.