“There is something odd about that boy,” Rasputin mused aloud.

“Do you believe him now?” Isobel asked. She couldn’t help but stare at the door, fighting the urge to run after him. To apologize…

Apologize for what? Her family?

They would never change.

For her rejection?

He didn’t realize it now, but she’d done him a favor. Even if he turned out to be Lucifer’s son, they could never be together. Grandfather had plans for his granddaughters. A dalliance, while pleasant in the short-term, would have long-term consequences.

“I think there is a possibility, a slim one, that he might be who he says he is. However, until those spells come off, we can’t be entirely sure.”

“Who has the skill to weave something so tight and intricate?” mused her mother, who’d returned the moment the door slammed shut. “I’ve never seen anything so complex.”

“Ahem.” Grandfather made a noisy objection.

But her mother shook her head. “Father, even you never achieved such a level of enchantment. This goes beyond our knowledge. Way before our time and books.”

“Whatever he is, he’s not our problem,” Grandfather declared.

“Maybe it should be our problem,” Isobel interjected. “What if he is who he says he is?”

“What if he’s not?” countered her grandfather. “We can’t be seen aligning with a pretender.”

“But let’s say, for a moment, that he’s telling the truth. Can we afford to ignore him? What if he truly is Lucifer’s son, and the Dark Lord’s enemies have discovered his existence? For all we know, the Heavenly angels are gathering at this moment in order to remove the Antichrist from Earth.”

“Not in my city, they won’t. We have a treaty.” His bushy eyebrows rose almost to his crown. “It will mean war if they break it.”

“Ooh. I’m sure God and the Devil are shaking in their boots,” Evangeline said, the words dripping heavily with sarcasm as she rejoined. “Why would they care about one angry wizard?”

“Because this treaty is one they’ve made with all of us on Earth.” Grandfather spread his hands. “In times long past, Lucifer and his brother ruled this land. They sought followers, believers in their power and doctrine. But their battles to win over mankind resulted in wars, followed by famine, plague, and death. That brought the first flood. A cleansing of the planet. But soon after, it all began again. When God’s son was crucified, it was decided that God and Lucifer would withdraw from mankind. They would leave only their teachings behind and let mankind make the choice of their afterlife. Those without sin would ascend to Heaven, and those who couldn’t remain pure of heart and soul would go to Hell.”

“Having those rules, though, didn’t completely stop their involvement. God still speaks to some, and I’ve heard of angels interfering.” Isobel had done some studies on religion, and while modern times didn’t have many examples of divine interference, it did still happen.

“And demons sometimes show up to cause trouble. But nothing overt or by Lucifer’s decree,” Rasputin lectured. “Neither God nor Lucifer dare act directly. Neither wants to be the first to make a move.”

“And yet, we know eventually that will end. The prophecies say so,” Mother added softly.

“What prophecies?” Evangeline asked. “You mean those silly legends of the seventh son of the seventh son and all that crap?”

“Not quite. However, there are a few to choose from. Seers have been predicting a war on the mortal plane for centuries now. The forces of Heaven and Hell and Earth shall collide.” Isobel’s mother gesticulated with her hands as she spoke. “The sky shall darken with the ash from the fires they will unleash. The living will mourn the death of their loved ones. The world will be washed in blood.”

“Really?” Evangeline perked up.

To Isobel, it sounded awful. “You’re wrong. Chris doesn’t want a war.” He just wanted to rule the world. And how is he going to do that without killing anyone?

Isobel frowned. Would the man she knew really cause the deaths the prophecies predicted?

“It doesn’t matter what he wants. Or what anyone wants. War is coming, and when it does, we shan’t choose sides,” Rasputin announced.

“Haven’t you already? You play cards with the Devil,” Evangeline pointed out.

“And chess with God,” Marya added.

“You know God?” Isobel couldn’t help a note of incredulity.

“Yes.” Grandfather’s face wrinkled, and his lips turned down. “But he’s not as much fun to hang out with. I prefer the fiery grog of the pit to holy water. And the women are freer with their attentions in Hell.”

The list of things Isobel didn’t know grew, and it only served to heighten her hunger for more knowledge. “Of the prophecies, which do you think is the most likely to happen?”

“To splice and paraphrase the many that have emerged over the centuries, essentially a descendant of Lucifer shall rise up and bring darkness to the land. God will retaliate with his army of angels led by his only son. A battle for the fate of mankind shall erupt.”

“In other words, the Antichrist and Jesus are going to have a knock-down-drag-out fight.”

“It will be more involved than that. There will be many factions that rise in the chaos—pretenders, as well. Powers who have hidden in the shadows will see this as a time for them to swoop in and perhaps snare a victory of their own.”

“What can we do to stop it?” Isobel asked. “And don’t tell me the answer is killing Chris.”

Grandfather smiled. “That is the simplest path. However, even his death might not stop it because, once the portents begin, there is no escaping the final battle. And before you ask, it is believed there will be seven signs that the apocalypse is coming. However, what those signs are differ depending on the interpretation.” Grandfather shrugged. “One thing they do agree on is that there will be pretenders. So, your Christopher, while stylizing himself as the Son of Perdition, might, in fact, be one of the signs announcing the coming of the true Antichrist.”

“But what if he’s the real deal? Shouldn’t we be nice to him?” Isobel still couldn’t help the regret she felt at the way they’d parted. “I mean, you’re talking about the fate of the world. The fate of our family.” Which, given it was evil, really should do something about ensuring the scales tipped a certain way. She doubted Heaven would have a nice spot reserved for them.

“The family’s future is secured. You needn’t worry about that. As soon as Evangeline marries, then we shall find you a suitable husband, too, thus further cementing our rule in the possible coming new world order.”

“I am not getting married.” Eva didn’t mince words.

“You will do as you’re told. A chaste daughter of this house was promised, and I am a man of my word. You will be married.”

“About the chaste thing…” Eva scuffed her toes. She’d not yet put back on her glamour and looked younger and more innocent than usual.

“Do you have something to say?” Grandfather eyed Eva, his intense stare frightening, especially since anyone in the room could feel the power being sucked toward him. Never a good sign.

Would Grandfather truly lash out at his family?

Isobel noted her mother twisting her hands and muttering under her breath, preparing a spell.

Isobel wanted to shout, “Stop!” and yet she knew the truth had to come out.

Eva held her chin high and faced Grandfather head-on and proud. “I am not chaste.”

Absolute silence reigned, but the smell of ozone heightened.

“What did you say?” Spoken low and very measured, but Isobel could see the rage brewing in his eyes.

“I said, I am not a virgin. Not even close. As a matter of fact, I just broke up with a guy who had the nerve to call me evil.”

“Impossible. I thought you placed a spell of chastity upon her?” He turned his glare on Mother.

She shrugged. “I did, but Evangeline is a strong sorceress. She must have taken it off.”

“I took it off the moment I left this house.” Eva smirked. “So, I guess you’ll have to call off whatever wedding you have planned because this”—she gestured to her body—“hasn’t been chaste in a long time.”

“How dare you!” The words emerged powerfully and with great effect. The whole house shook, and a crack zigzagged across the plaster.

“Sorry. Not sorry.” Eva shrugged, and her shoulders did not have time to fall again before an invisible force grabbed her and slammed her into the wall hard—so forcefully her head cracked against the marble. Her body slid down to slump on the floor.

“Eva!” Isobel shrieked as she ran to her sister’s side. Her sister stared at her with dazed eyes.

Mother placed herself in Grandfather’s path. “Leave Evangeline alone.”

“I will not! Do you understand what she’s done?”

Kneeling at her sister’s side, Isobel helped her to sit up. Eva shoved Isobel away and stood on her own.

Eva’s eyes might have held some fear, but her voice remained steady. “I told you before, and I’m telling you again. I won’t be a pawn in your power games. Call the betrothal off.”

“I can’t!” Grandfather shouted and paced, energy crackling around him. “You don’t understand what you’ve done.”

“Surely we can make the groom understand,” Mother said, her tone soothing.

“Don’t you think if we had another choice I’d have taken it!” he yelled. “She’s ruined everything with her defiance.” His eyes were wild, and his hands rose.

Mother quickly flung her hands, tossing the spell she’d fabricated at Eva. Isobel could actually see it, a gossamer web that clung to her sister, protecting her.

Just in time. Grandfather unleashed two bolts of lightning from his fingers, jagged things that lashed at her sister.

They sizzled harmlessly on the shield.

“That’s enough. Don’t you dare harm her!” Mother stood tall in front of her father.

“I will dare because she has doomed us all. If there is no bride on the agreed-upon date, then we are dead.”

“So we give him a bride. Or did the contract specifically state the oldest daughter?”

What? How could Mother even suggest it? Isobel looked at her feet rather than meet the dual gazes.

“Leave her alone,” Eva yelled. “Don’t you dare put her in my place.”

“You leave us no choice. We promised a pure daughter of our line, and we will honor that vow.” Grandfather wouldn’t budge, and Isobel’s stomach clenched.

She recalled the tarot cards, the future, the hangman that wanted her to accept.

Then she remembered the look on Chris’s face when she’d sent him away.

“No, I won’t do it.” She said it softly as she shook her head.

“I’m sorry, myshka, but there is no choice.” Mother’s voice emerged softly but firmly. “You knew this day would come. It’s just sooner than expected.”

“Leave her alone. Don’t make her pay for my choice,” Eva argued in her defense. “Tell them I’m not a virgin and let this be an end to the practice of arranged marriage in this family.”

“And I am telling you we cannot break the contract without dire consequence,” Grandfather yelled.

So the family would pay a fine. Or lose prestige. Maybe become hunted by some vengeful, jilted groom. Isobel didn’t care. This whole thing stank. Women were not objects to be bargained. Her life and happiness were not for sale.

She held her chin high. “I will not marry this person. Not for you. Not for any reason.”

“This is because of that boy.” No denying the curling disdain of Grandfather’s lip. “He’s perverted you into thinking you can choose. He’s seduced you, hasn’t he?” Grandfather’s voice boomed.

Even knowing she shouldn’t have to reply—after all, it was no one’s business—she still did. “No, he hasn’t seduced me. I am still a virgin. But that changes nothing. I won’t marry a stranger because…” And the realization hit her then, hit her with a stunning clarity that imbued her with calm. “I love him.”

The declaration was met with immediate denial evidenced by much yelling and hand waving. But Isobel found a calm serenity in finally admitting it.

I love Christopher.

And she had to tell him.

Turning her back on her family, she strode to the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” snapped her grandfather. “We are not done.”

“Oh, yes we are. I’m going to see Chris, and you can’t stop me.”

“That boy isn’t your future,” he stated.

“How would you know?”

“Because you are destined for something greater.”

Isobel shook her head. “No, you want something greater, not for me, but for you. I just want to be happy.”

Grandfather snorted. “Happiness is overrated. You have a duty to fulfill.”

“What about my duty to myself?”

Mother took a step toward her. “Myshka, please, think of what you are doing. Do you really believe this Chris person is worthy of you? That he cares as much for you as you do for him?”

Did she know for sure? No, but she was willing to take that chance. The cards didn’t always foretell the absolute truth. Loving Chris might mean death, but she also knew the future she saw in the cards could be changed.

What she did know for sure was that she couldn’t marry a stranger and give herself to him…not without knowing for sure how Chris felt.

“I have to find out.”

Her mother’s face softened, and beside her, his ghostly hand resting on her shoulder, Isobel saw her father, saw his approval.

Mother opened her arms wide. “Then do what you must, my child. I will stand by you.”

“What? How can you condone this, Marya? The girl is—”

“Shut it, Grandfather,” Eva interrupted. “Face it. You’re outnumbered.”

“Damned feminism. This is because we let you wear pants,” he grumbled, but did nothing to stop Isobel from hugging her mother back.

Her mother’s lips brushed her cheek, a soft buzz that somehow tingled when she said, “Love is possible, but only within sanctity.”

Odd words of parting, but Isobel didn’t care. She escaped the house, trying to ignore her grandfather’s last insult. “I can’t believe you’re letting her whore herself to that imposter.”

Tears stung at her grandfather’s crudeness. Despite everything, she loved him, and it hurt her to think Grandfather might shun her for this act of defiance.

However, the time had come for Isobel to take charge of her life.

To go after love.

But first, she needed to find a car. I can’t believe he stole my vehicle. She’d punish him for that, probably with kisses. Surely, he’d done it on purpose, knowing she’d come after it.

How deviously romantic.