He shook it off, continuing on, but when they passed another group—a Demigod with a disorganized, ramshackle crew—it happened again.

She should be ashamed of herself. What a waste. If only there were a way to strip people of their magic.

After that came Demigod Helga, her expression just as severe as her name, and her people perfectly in line.

“Pause if you can,” Amber murmured softly behind him.

He let his gaze travel toward Helga. She was a strong, immortal Demigod with a currently middling territory that had been flourishing a few centuries back. Word was that she’d put the brakes on a declining territory, found her ambition again, and was eager to make a comeback. If she could restore herself to her former glory, she’d be a useful ally.

That damned woman was a thorn in my side at the best of times. Thank mighty Poseidon she’s finally dwindling away.

Kieran flinched. He felt haunted, ill at ease. He didn’t even know when he’d heard his father say such things. But they’d clung to him, clogging up his thinking, polluting his views. Information was always handy, but the last thing he wanted to do was travel down the path of arrogant superiority paved by his elitist father. Kieran would not end up there. He would not.

He felt Lexi squeeze his hand, concern radiating through the soul link. In alarm, he slowed and looked down at her, wondering what was going on.

“Hi,” she said softly, and squeezed his hand again. “We’re good. I love you.”

Love and support glittered in her soft brown eyes. Warmth bled through the soul link now, and it dawned on him that she’d sensed his melancholy and fear. Given how well she knew him, she likely knew the reason for it. And although she knew enough about magical etiquette to know she shouldn’t steal his attention away from another Demigod, she was leading with her heart.

He did the same, smiling at her. “I love you too.”

After a moment, her gaze slid past him to Helga, who’d been waiting patiently for him to take notice. She’d lifted her chin, but if she was angry, it didn’t show.

He tried to contain his shock. He’d just accidentally slighted a Demigod of higher status. Helga should’ve moved on or called him down. Why the hell had she waited?

Wrapping his arrogant confidence around him like a cape, he finally met Helga’s direct and forceful stare.

“Demigod Kieran, isn’t it?” Helga’s bearing was regal.

He offered her a nod, a little light for a greeting to someone of her status, but she’d put the ball in his court. “It is. Demigod Helga, I presume,” he responded with a hint of boredom. He fell into strategy like it was second nature. And perhaps it was—he’d grown up watching his father command a room.

“It is, yes. Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Regardless of the history, it can’t be easy to bury a parent.”

“It isn’t, no. Thank you for your condolences.” He turned toward Lexi, still holding her hand. “This is Alexis Price, my betrothed.”

“The Soul Stealer who bears your mark, yes. I figured. And there’s that handsome Lightning Bolt, I see, alive and well. What a shock. The legendary giant, your father’s master spy… Quite the stable you have already. I expect big things from you. The only question is, what kind of things will those be? Will you go the way of your father, hunting for personal gain at the cost of others, or will you help us pursue the common good? Or maybe you’ll roll over for those who’ve been at this much longer than you. It’s no secret Magnus is trying to get his fingers in your pie.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve entered the snake pit, boy, in a very flashy sort of way. You’ll need your wits about you or you’ll lose it all.”

Insufferable woman. Has she no decency? She hasn’t a delicate word in her mouth.

Kieran barely kept from flinching, shoving his father’s voice to the back of his mind. Still, the voice of the past had been correct. Helga was going about this too dramatically, like a toothless tiger trying to find purchase on a jugular. She’d have a hard time making important friends this way.

His smile was slight, and he shifted his gaze ahead. “Morality can be hazy among Demigods, as my Thunderstroke will tell you. The common good isn’t usually for common people. But my views will come at a cost, yes, and some will feel the burden. No one can say exactly who, yet, of course. This week should give all of us a better idea. If you’ll excuse me.”

He offered a slight nod, not looking at her, and continued on, showing his displeasure at the interaction. Two groups had watched them from the benches along the sides of the path. Everything here was for show. Every word and action was analyzed. It was how the game was played.

“Excellent,” Amber murmured behind him, and he felt a note of pride at her approval.

“That’s what we’re going for, then?” Lexi asked quietly. “Being dicks to people?”

“Depending on status, yes, mostly,” Amber replied. “Which you pulled off nicely, Alexis, capturing Kieran’s attention for yourself and making Demigod Helga wait. You treated him like he was of higher status, and Helga followed your lead. Perfect.”

“Oh. I…” Lexi trailed away as Demigod Jessup ambled along the path, proof that Demigods didn’t automatically keep their shape.

Kieran ignored him completely. He’d been of little status for as long as Kieran could remember, and for good reason. His politics were messy, his allies were few, and he cheated and lied to keep his territory operating. He didn’t deserve the mantle he possessed. It was time to demand more of Demigods, something Kieran would work for when he had some clout.