“Dara is up ahead,” Amber said, and a surge of excitement rolled through the soul link. Dara had helped them take Valens down. She’d shown up in the nick of time in response to Daisy’s summons, and at one point in the battle, she’d saved Daisy’s life. Clearly Lexi had a soft spot for her.

Nervousness rolled through Kieran’s middle as he passed a level-five ruler of no consequence, followed by a large but orderly crew. Dara was still a ways back, a crimson dress flowing around her legs and no one at her side. Behind her, her team stalked like predators, the best collection of elementals in the world, much smaller than usual for a non-Demigod. Dara was making a statement about her abilities. One she could back up.

He continued to move at the same pace, still holding Lexi’s hand, but looked at Dara in a way that communicated he’d like to stop and chat. He was putting himself at her social mercy. It was the first risk of many.

The distance between them lessened. The woman behind Dara leaned forward a little, her mouth moving, giving advice or reminding Dara of their previously laid plans. In a moment, it became clear what her advisor had said.

Dara continued facing straight ahead. She would ignore Kieran’s subtle desire to meet her on the path. She might’ve helped with Valens, but she was making it public that their connection ended there.

Fuck.

Frustration burned within him. He’d hoped for at least a nod—a small show of camaraderie to get him going. Careful not to sigh like a child who hadn’t gotten his way, he swiveled his gaze forward, respecting her decision. The snub would make things harder, but it wouldn’t sink him. Not yet.

“Wait, are you serious?”

Kieran jerked at Daisy’s raised voice. He whipped his head back to look at her, unable to believe it.

She stepped out of the line with a hand held out in a stop motion. Her expression held disbelief, matching the way he felt.

“Don’t you recognize me?” Daisy asked, her doll-like features and large eyes making her look delicate and vulnerable. Her pretty dress hung from her slim frame, her softness of face and slight curves shouting clearly that she was still a kid. Given the badge pinned to the light pink sash across her body, it would take but a moment for everyone to realize this was the Chester they’d probably heard about, crashing their magical party. Daisy was currently painting a huge “kick me” sign on her back.

“Lexi,” Kieran hissed. “Stop this. She’s putting herself in danger.”

“You incinerated a guy who was about to slice my head off, remember?” Daisy put out her hands, very sassy. “We battled together against that nut-sack Valens. Thank heavens you and Demigod Kieran finally did something about that guy—he had to go. He was full of the wrong stuff.”

Kieran’s stomach clenched. While everyone knew how he’d come by his territory, Daisy—already remarkable for being a Chester among magical people—had just made a very bold, very public statement about someone who’d had a lot of allies. Kieran did not want to make enemies before he’d even made friends.

Mordecai stepped in before Lexi could drop Kieran’s hand. “Daisy, leave her be,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “She’s playing politics right now. This is for show.”

“Do you know what’s not for show? The important things—like guarding each other’s backs during battle.” She shrugged off Mordecai’s hand. “And who cares? This is just a walk. The official thing starts tomorrow. Can’t two groups with history shake hands and talk about the good times? There will be plenty of time to play politics.”

Lexi was trying to make her way to Daisy, but Amber had stepped in the wrong direction and was standing directly in Lexi’s path. Kieran fought to keep his composure.

“What do you know?” Mordecai pulled Daisy’s arm, forcing her to take a step back.

“Sorry.” Lexi had finally made it to her kids. Face flushed, her dress and hair billowing in a wind that touched no one else, she smiled at Dara and then at Dara’s people, who stood stock-still behind her. The cats slunk through everyone, stopping at Lexi’s sides. She didn’t seem to notice, which made it seem entirely natural and, given their size and glowing eyes, probably nerve-racking. “I apologize. As I’m sure you remember, we didn’t grow up in the magical world. I’ve clearly done a terrible job explaining the nature of this walk. This is my bad. Kieran was going by the book”—Kieran contained a flinch at the blunt acknowledgement of his actions—“but Daisy here was just reacting to a familiar face. I thought she had a better understanding of these things.”

“I have a great understanding of human decency,” Daisy said.

“Just no understanding of timing, that’s all.” Mordecai’s smile and body language hinted at the ridiculousness of the situation.

Other groups veered to the sides, both in front and behind, watching the circus. Many faces held wide eyes, a Demigod Kieran couldn’t place stared at the scene in clear disapproval, and a few snickered. This whole walk, the beginning of the Summit, was unraveling before Kieran’s eyes.

Take matters into your hand and punish them! Show everyone that you are not weak. Show them that you rule with an iron fist and you will be respected!

Fear bubbled through Kieran. He’d seen his father “handle” his staff countless times. He’d routinely punished them in public, leaving them a bloody mess and walking on, not allowing anyone to help them. He’d even killed a few staff if the grievance was bad enough.