But there was a way things were done, even among thieves and cowards. This was not it.

This was a declaration of war.

The tides rolled and boiled. The air whipped around the street, responding to Kieran’s inner turmoil. Fog rolled in, settling low. He’d cut off their sight, confident his people knew how to work in a state of near blindness. They’d trained for it.

Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Daisy ran past him, followed by Mordecai in wolf form. The boy put on the brakes, nearly making Lexi fall over him.

“What are you… Oh.” Lexi, out of breath, hurried across the room with the cat at her feet. “There’s one person out back, waiting in the trees. She unlocked the laundry room door and then retreated. She’s obviously waiting for us to be drawn out the front. I can’t fathom what she wants—could it be that pocket watch?”

“It’s you,” Kieran said, the fire boiling within him. His power swelled around the room. “They want you, Alexis. They want to weaponize you, like the last Spirit Walker.”

“Sure, fine, but when did they think they would grab me? I’m obviously going to be out there with you.”

Kieran laughed, the riddle too easy to solve. “Clearly the coward on that street thinks I will try to hide you away to protect you. He thinks I wouldn’t dare risk you in a skirmish like this.”

“A skirmish?” Alexis turned to face him, her eyes filled with fear. “Kieran, they must have three dozen magical people down there. And a Demigod that no one but me can see.” She huffed. “Yes, I know you can see him, but what are you going to do, claw his ankles?”

“What?” Kieran’s attention strayed from the intruders for a moment.

“Sorry, not you. I’ll explain later.”

He let it go. He didn’t have the time. His guys and Bria were almost ready, and the enemy forces were almost in position.

“They have less than three dozen troops unqualified to handle me, my Six, and Bria, even with that excuse for a Demigod. Aaron sent one of his best after me, and defeating his assassin was child’s play. If this is Aaron, he won’t risk more prized staffers so soon. If it isn’t Aaron, the Demigod will have heard about Aaron’s guy, and will also shy away from the risk. I bet it is Aaron, though. Magnus would never be so stupid as to assume I’d pit you against my father only to hide you now. He’d never be so bold as to challenge me like this. Lydia is much too subtle. She’s known for her cunning and nuance. No, Aaron’s making a play for the prize. You. And after he realizes you aren’t his daughter, he’ll want you in his bed. He’ll torture your sanity away, then shape you into a bed-sharing weapon.” Kieran ground his teeth, pain and disgust stoking his rage.

“You are really hot when you’re this frightening, but we can’t stay in here, Kieran. We’re wasting time. That Demigod is doing something with spirit and I have no idea what. Soon he’ll unleash his power and I have two kids in here.”

“We fought Valens, too,” Daisy said. Mordecai gave a little yelp.

A pulse bloomed in Kieran’s middle. That was Zorn. Bria was ready to go. Boman had yet to signal, though. He needed more time.

“I hated that you were there,” Lexi told them, “and you were shielded by large groups of fresh soldiers. This is different. You will hide.”

“Can you sense anyone beyond that woman out back?” Kieran asked, time ticking away. He felt power building. Aaron was ready to make his move.

“I couldn’t earlier, but I’m too far away now to double-check.”

Kieran glanced at the kids, who were ready to fight. They had courage in spades. “Follow me.”

He stalked down the hall to the small closet between the guest bath and Lexi’s room. Lifting a little latch near the bottom, he pushed the button beneath it. The wall of linens popped forward.

“What the…” Lexi’s words died as another pulse blossomed in Kieran’s middle. Boman was in position. It was time.

Working fast now, he pulled open the hidden door, stepped in, and flicked the switches to power the room up.

“I didn’t think you needed more space in the master bedroom,” he said, glancing down the long, narrow room. “I also figured you’d appreciate it if I made some precautions in case things went poorly with my father. I didn’t think I’d need to use them after the fact.”

“Yeah, he was a good find,” Lexi said, but Kieran hadn’t heard Daisy say anything.

“Sir, we’ve got movement,” Donovan called up.

“Why didn’t you tell any of us about this?” Daisy asked. She thought she was old enough to join the battle.

“Because you’re Zorn’s star student. If you’d known about it, you would have figured out how to get in here, and then no one would be safe.” Kieran stepped out of the way. Neither of the kids moved.

“Now!” Lexi barked. The kids grudgingly shuffled forward.

“Demigod Kieran,” Donovan called, apprehension coming through the blood link.

Kieran shut the door behind Daisy, knowing they could figure out how to latch it from the inside. He shut the closet, too, and took a spare moment to grab Lexi’s upper arms and look down at her angelic face.

“I love you with everything I have,” he said, his emotions swelling like the tide. He wanted her to feel it as well as hear it. “We’re better together. But so help the heavens, if anything happens to you, I will follow you into the spirit realm and drag you back out, kicking and screaming if I must.”