“Alexis,” he said, taking one step forward. “Please, join me. Let those behind you pass.”

On wooden feet, I walked toward him, a million emotions raging through me. I’d only seen him one other time, when he’d waltzed into Lydia’s house and saved the day. To say the situation between myself and my father was colored in confusion was a gross understatement. He’d started watching me before the rest of the world had taken notice, and had saved my life a handful of times in the often baffling world of spirit. But he’d only bothered to intervene at the last possible moment in our showdown at Lydia’s mansion, and he was as culpable as Demigod Aaron in Jack’s death, Mordecai’s near-fatal attack, and Daisy’s abduction. I couldn’t forget that.

And yet there was no denying part of me wanted to get to know my biological father. In a perfect world, I’d form some kind of a relationship with him, maybe share a meal on a holiday.

“Hi,” I said, my face practically numb.

“Hello. How has your walk been so far? Fruitful?” He looked at Kieran now, his eyes flat and distant. He was greeting Kieran exactly how Zander had not long ago.

Kieran bowed, just as deeply as before. “Quite, yes,” he said when he came back up. “Thank you for taking the time.”

“Your party is inspiring a lot of interest. They will have a great many challenges tomorrow. As I’m sure you know, Alexis will be open for attack until your mark is sanctified. They will come at her from all angles, wondering what a Soul Stealer’s magic feels like. What she can really do. I assume this curiosity will die down quickly, given her magic is not pleasant when used correctly. Still, the initial assaults will likely be hard and fast. I realize it is none of my business professionally, but personally, I’m sure you can understand my concern. Tell me, who are you sending out with my daughter tomorrow?”

Shivers coated me upon hearing him call me that so openly. Daughter. I snaked my arm around Kieran’s, needing something solid to hold on to.

Kieran bent his arm to give me better purchase. “Those you see here,” he said. “My best and most trusted.”

Magnus looked over Kieran’s people. “Yes, good. As I’m sure you understand, the protection I pledged to provide is no good here. No one would attempt to force her into an oath, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility someone might ‘accidentally’ kill her. Your Lightning Bolt, too. Sometimes it is seen as preferable to eliminate a potent, rare magic rather than to face said magic.”

“Understood.”

“I would not be pained to lose you, but I do not want to lose her.”

“Understood.”

Magnus nodded and reached out his hands. Confused, I just looked at them.

He huffed out a laugh. “I mean to take your hands, Alexis. There is no trick up my sleeves, I assure you. Just a father wanting to finally, properly meet his offspring. With all the pandemonium at Lydia’s…living establishment, we didn’t have the chance. Now that we are here together, I’d like to construct that bridge, if you will let me.”

His hands remained in the air, reaching for me. People on the path slowed to watch us, their eyes wide, and stepped to the side for a better look.

I took his hands hesitantly, hope and fear warring. He was not one to be trusted, I had to remember that, no matter how much I wanted to believe otherwise.

“Will you dine with me sometime this week?” he asked, his eyes direct but open, his touch light. It was genuinely a request, not a command. I could turn him down if I wanted to.

I didn’t want to.

“Yes,” I answered, my hands shaking a little.

His small, kind smile said he felt it, but I did not miss the cunning glitter in his eyes. He knew he affected me and was clearly wondering how he could use it to his benefit. I was starting to realize how Kieran had probably felt his whole life.

“I would ask you to join me tomorrow, but you will be tired from your day.” He lowered our hands before he let go. “My people will be, too. Every year they are sought out by people who wonder if they’re as good as they’d expect. They are, of course. I haven’t lost anyone in…years. Decades. But the constant challenges take a toll, all the same.”

“If I may ask…” Kieran let his words fade away.

Magnus took a moment to turn his head, and Kieran didn’t continue until he did. Another game of status.

“Do you keep your people together for the most part, or do they break off into smaller groups? I’ve heard differing opinions.”

Magnus made Kieran wait, as though considering if he would actually answer. A moment later, he angled his head slightly, and a short woman in bright clothes came forward. I recognized her from the confrontation at Lydia’s house—she was the one who’d ruthlessly manhandled the Demigod’s broken arm. Her pleasant disposition was not to be trusted.

“Those with experience and useful magic, like us, usually head straight to the halls. We find it easier to travel the tight space in smaller teams,” the woman said, speaking directly to me. “We can change tactics on a dime, and it’s easier to get away quickly, if need be.” She paused for a moment. “With larger groups, an attack can quickly devolve into chaos. You seem to do very well in uncertain situations, Alexis, so it’s a tough call. In the halls, though, without much room to maneuver…you and a large group would likely amount in a disaster of some kind.”