My magic was too depleted to fight twenty. Especially if the oil-slicked woman was with them. She was just too powerful. Cade and Ana looked pretty beat too. And we were on their home turf. If we were going to win this, we needed the element of surprise.

And we’d just lost it.

My gaze shot to Cade.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said.

“Can you carry him?” I asked.

Cade nodded.

I tore off the bottom of my shirt and tied it around the man’s mouth, gagging him. “I’ll conceal our escape with illusion, and we’ll run for the hippokampoi. Hopefully he can take us all.”

“Good plan,” Cade said. “Let’s go.”

“Grab what you can,” I told Ana as I snatched up some books and scrolls. The more info we could bring back, the better.

She filled her arms, and we went to the door. I called upon my magic, imagining us becoming invisible. Cade and Ana disappeared, along with our hostage, and we sprinted out of the room.

Our pursuers were still about thirty yards off, thank fates.

We kept our footfalls silent as we sprinted toward the harbor.

Please let Cade and Ana be with me.

When we arrived at the harbor, the hippokampoi was waiting. The guards weren’t following, so I dropped the illusion, grateful to see a winded Cade and Ana with me. Mayhem floated at their side.

“Can you take us all?” I asked the hippokampoi.

He gave us a doubtful look, then sidled up to the edge of the quay. We climbed onto his back, the hostage still draped over Cade’s shoulder, and the hippokampoi oofed.

“Let’s go,” I whispered.

The hippokampoi took off toward the portal, and I turned around, my heart in my throat. Fortunately, there was no one there.

Thank fates for small favors.

The portal light flashed gold, and we appeared on the other side. Fast as we could, we clambered off the hippokampoi and sprinted through the portal to Edinburgh.

The ether sucked us in and spat us out in an alley. The chill of an Edinburgh evening greeted us, along with a drizzle of rain.

Four Protectorate guards stood there, monitoring the portal. Their faces relaxed when they saw us.

“Thank fates,” Ana murmured. “It worked.”

“Seriously.” I turned to Cade and the guards. “You’re sure they can’t follow?”

“Hedy blocked it from anyone who means us or the Protectorate harm. We should be good.”

“We’ll watch it,” the burliest guard said. He looked like some type of shifter, and his magic smelled like it, too.

“Thanks.” I grinned, then looked at Cade and Ana. “Let’s go.”

We hurried toward the other portal, the one that went back to the Protectorate castle. Out on the street, a few people gave us strange looks, but no one bothered us.

We stepped through the portal that was tucked into an alcove near the Whisky and Warlock. The ether sucked us in and spat us out in the woods.

“So glad to be back,” Ana said.

“I hear you.” We followed the path out of the forest, and Mayhem stuck close to my side.

The moon barely peeked out from behind the clouds, shrouding us in gloom. The castle windows gleamed with welcoming light.

The man in Cade’s arms thrashed, but Cade kept his grip tight. “Settle down. You’re not going anywhere,” Cade said.

As we neared the castle, Mayhem began barking, setting up the alarm.

Ruckus and Chaos raced out the main castle door and toward us, barking like mad. A moment later, Jude hurried out after them.

“Let’s go.” Cade forced the prisoner to walk alongside him.

The man grumbled, but cooperated. Smart guy, since he was totally outnumbered.

Mayhem flew behind him and gave him a little blast of fire on the butt.

“Come on, Mayhem.” I shook my finger at her. “Good behavior with the prisoner.”

She yipped, then flew away, headed toward the castle, and most likely, another ham.

Jude hurried up, her starry eyes bright in the darkness. “Well? Success? I heard that your portal worked.”

“It did,” I said. “We made it to the stronghold in the ether and hopefully got some good info.”

Her gaze fell to the scrolls in my arm, then flicked to the prisoner. “We can only hope. I’m going to get Hedy so that she can test the prisoner for tracking charms. Then we’ll see what he has to say.”

“Torture?” Ana’s voice wavered.

My stomach pitched.

“No, no.” Jude shook her head. “Truth serum. A rare brand that actually works, courtesy of Hedy.”

The man began to thrash, trying to pull away from Cade’s grip.

Ah, now that was what frightened him. Revealing secrets.

Which meant he had some.

“Calm down,” Cade said.

“Pig bastards,” the man spat, then he jerked his arm so fiercely that I heard an audible pop come from his shoulder.

I winced.

The man shrieked.

Cade heaved a sigh, then bopped him on the head with his fist. The man crumpled, unconscious.

“That’s one way to go about it,” Jude said.

“Safest way,” Cade said. “For us and him.”

Jude nodded, then hurried off toward Hedy’s tower, her bathrobe flying in the wind behind her.

Cade bent down and swooped up the man as if he were Fabio and this was the cover of an old romance novel. “Let’s head to the dungeon.”

We trudged toward the castle, our steps growing slightly slower with every meter. My wings ached, and the rest of me was starting to feel the strain of our adventure.

As we crossed through the main entry foyer, Hans burst out of a hallway, his chef’s hat askew and a tray loaded with sandwiches in his arms.

“Mayhem said you were back! You must be hungry.”

Cade glanced pointedly at the prisoner he still carried and kept walking. “Thanks, Hans. We will be up in a little while.”

“No matter!” Hans said. “I will follow you to the dungeon!”

I grinned, and Hans hurried across the hall. True to his word, he followed us down the hall, sandwich platter in hand.

Hans was always dedicated to feeding people, but this was over the top. Maybe he could sense when people were extra hungry? Or perhaps when they were up against something big?

Because my stomach was growling at the sight of his tray. I didn’t know what the sandwiches were, but I didn’t care. PB&J, ham and cheese—whatever. I’d eat it.

Cade led us down to the bottom level of the castle, even lower than the armory. It was cool and dark down here, but not totally dank and terrible. As soon as we entered, sconces burst to life on the walls.

We were in a central room that had a table and chairs. Cells surrounded it, their heavy wooden doors looking ominous.

“This place is creepy,” Ana said.

Hans set his tray on the table. “Don’t worry. We don’t hold prisoners long. Just for questioning, then they go to the Order of the Magica for trial.”

“That’s a bit better, at least.” I walked toward the sandwiches and chose a PB&J.

Cade put the unconscious man in a cell, then joined us. “As soon as Hedy and Jude arrive, we’ll interrogate him. We shouldn’t keep him here longer than necessary.”

Hans nodded, though I wasn’t sure if he even heard Cade’s words, because he gestured to the sandwiches wildly. “Eat! Eat!”

Cade grinned and took a thick ham sandwich. “Thank you, Hans.”

Hans nodded, his gaze turning to me. “You have much ahead of you, from what I hear.”

Uh-oh. Had I been right? “Is your newfound interest in shoving food on me because you’re worried about me?”

Hans made a face. “Of course not! I am a chef! I like to feed people!”

“Hmmm.” I bit into the sandwich, which was, in fairness, the best PB&J I’d ever had. “Well, thank you.”

“Do you like it? I used three jams! The combination is what makes it superb.” He kissed his fingertips.

“It is wonderful,” I said.

He nodded, satisfied. “Drink your juice. Then interrogate the man and get him out of here.”

I saluted.

Cade grinned.

Ana waved.

And Hans hurried up the stairs, straightening his chef’s hat as he went. Jude and Hedy arrived just a second later. Caro, Ali, and Haris trailed in after them, all of them dressed in PJs. Ali and Haris wore the footie kind—Ali was a dinosaur and Haris was a turtle.

I stifled a laugh at the sight of the deadly Djinn.

Haris raised a brow at me.

I pressed my lips together.

“Cleary you’re up against something big, Bree,” Jude said. “Hans has a nose for it.”

“That’s what I thought might be happening.” He was like a skinny mother hen in a chef’s hat.

Caro came to join me, squeezing my hand.

“Where is he?” Hedy’s voice was all business, though her silver bathrobe was not. The many pockets bulged, however, so she was clearly armed for duty.

Cade swallowed the last of his sandwich, then started toward the cell. “This way.”

Hedy hurried after him, digging into her pocket.

Ana and I took our sandwiches with us as we moved closer to the cell door and watched as Hedy hovered her hands over the man, who was prone on the cot within. He snored as she let her magical stone work, trying to detect any dangerous charms that might be clinging to him.

After a while, she stood, the silver inspecting stone gleaming from her hand. “He’s clean, from what I can tell. But I’d get rid of that charm around his neck just to be safe.”

Cade reached down and yanked the necklace off the man.

Caro stepped up and took it. “I’ll take it to Emily. She can transport it away from here.”

She hurried out of the room, and Hedy turned to us. “Want me to wake him?”

“Aye,” Cade said.

Hedy returned to the room and pulled two little vials from her pocket. She uncorked the blue one.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Truth potion,” Hedy said. “A rare formula that I developed. It actually works. Prevents any clever phrasing that might lead us astray.”

“Oh, nice.” Not all truth serums could be trusted.

“Yes. And it’s best to administer it while the suspect is asleep. That way, there’s no nasty struggling.” She tilted the vial over the man’s open mouth. He sputtered but swallowed, then kept snoring.

“He looks so normal,” I muttered. Just a dude—average height, brown hair, plain face. Nothing particularly evil about him.

It made him creepier, actually.

“And next, the smelling salts.” Hedy uncorked a small silver vial and held it under the man’s nose. He snored, inhaled a big whiff of the stuff, then jerked upright coughing and waving a hand in front of his face.

Then his gaze landed on us, and his eyes widened. He scrambled back on the cot. “Don’t hurt me!”

“We’re not going to hurt you.” Cade walked forward, towering over the man.

He cringed backward, paling. “Then what are you going to do?”

“Question you, then turn you over to the Order of the Magica.”

It didn’t seem possible, but the man paled even more. “That might be worse.”

“Then you shouldn’t have sided with an organization full of kidnappers and murderers.” Cade crossed his arms over his chest. “This could have all been avoided.”

The man spat at him, his face twisted with rage. Cade sidestepped, his unnatural speed helping him avoid the man’s spit.

Jude looked at me. “You will question him. It’s a normal part of Protectorate procedure, and you should get the practice.”

I nodded, then stepped up to join Cade. “Tell us about the Rebel Gods stronghold at Kart-hadasht. What magic keeps it in place?”

“I don’t—” The man coughed, his brow wrinkling. “I don’t know what—” He coughed again.

“You can’t lie or prevaricate,” Hedy said. “The words just won’t come out. So tell us the truth.”

“Something makes that realm exist in the middle of nowhere,” I said. “It’s neither human realm, nor god, but in between. So tell us what keeps it going? Is it the weird magic we felt there? How did the Rebel Gods create it?”

The man snapped his lips shut, his dark eyes flashing at us. I glanced at Hedy.

“Wait for it.” She winked. “He’ll talk.”

I turned back to the man, whose cheeks had blown up like Ratatoskr’s when he’d filled them with magical acorns.

“Come on, dude. Spill.” I waved my hand in an encouraging motion.

“The magic that powers the stronghold is stored in the middle of town.” The words rushed out of him, and his cheeks deflated. “It’s powerful magic that the Rebel Gods stole from a powerful being. It fuels the place and keeps it…existing.”

“Okay. So we have to destroy the magic,” I said. “And that will destroy the town.”

He scoffed. “You can’t destroy the magic. Not magic like that.”

He was right. Almost no one could destroy magic. It just wasn’t possible. “What is the magic stored in?”

“A flame in the temple. So if you’re thinking of stealing it, think again. You can’t. It’s part of the stronghold itself, and you can’t steal fire.”

Damn. That could be a problem. Unless we could find someone to transfer the magic…

“What spells keep the stronghold active?” I asked.

“None. Not anymore. Not since they put the magic into the stone that fuels the place and keeps it going.”

All right. Then we’d definitely have to get the magic out of that flame.

“What’s your role?” I asked. “Why were you in a room full of books and scrolls?”

His cheeks puffed up again as he tried to hold his words back. I tapped my foot, willing to wait. It wouldn’t be long, anyway.

Finally, they spewed out of him. “Fine! I’m the accounts manager. I oversee our finances.”

So we’d stolen their accountant. “Why do the Rebel Gods need money?”

“They don’t. Not for themselves. But to keep their operations running, they need cash.”

“And what are those operations?”

“All sorts, all over the world. People in desperate situations are more prone to believing in higher powers. Like the Rebel Gods. So they create desperate situations.”

“And reap belief from those people,” I said. “They just want fame?”

“Fame isn’t just fame, to a god. It’s power. It makes them stronger. It keeps them alive.”

Hmmm. Okay, fair. Fighting for your life was a solid motivation. “Tell me more about these desperate situations.”

I glanced at Jude, who nodded. This was the info the Protectorate really wanted. With it, they could go in and help these people.

The man’s cheeks poofed up again, but finally, he spoke. “There are operations all over the world. Sweatshops in Asia, mining in Africa, slave trade in South America.”

I listened as he talked, my stomach turning. I wanted to earn my wings to save my magic and my soul—but this. He was describing terrible atrocities. We needed to help these people.

Finally, he slowed to a halt.

I frowned. “The Rebel Gods have been busy. How long has this been going on? In earnest, I mean. These particular operations. I know they were lying low for a long time, their power depleted.”

“About five years now. They got a big shot of power, and it helped them jumpstart their operations again. They’re smart, and fast.”

“Are there any more records of these activities besides your office at the stronghold?” I asked. We’d want to get every record so we could put a stop to the Rebel Gods’ bullshit.

“I have most of them. There’s also the command center, to the left of the temple. There should be records there, too.”

I looked at Jude. “That enough?”

She nodded, her starry eyes serious. She turned to Ali and Haris, who stood in the doorway. “Take him up onto the lawn and call the Order. Tell them to pick him up ASAP.”

Ali and Haris nodded, then hurried into the room and hoisted the guy up by the arms.

“You can’t send me there!” he cried.

“You just described over a dozen torturous deeds you’ve helped the Rebel Gods commit against humans,” I said. “Sweatshops, slavery, murder. You think we’re not going to turn you over to the law?”

“You’re lucky we’re giving you to the Order,” Cade growled.

The man shrank back, and Ali and Haris carried him out.

I turned to Jude, Hedy, Cade, and Ana. “That was helpful.”

“It was.” Jude frowned. “Except we have no way to siphon that magic from the flame in the stronghold.”

“Without that, we can’t remove the magic that powers the place,” Hedy said. “And we can’t destroy it.”

Ana caught my gaze.

I nodded at her. “We know someone. Phoenix Knight, in Magic’s Bend. She’s a Conjurer who can transfer magic from object to object.”

Hedy’s brows rose. “Really? She must be very powerful.”

“To say the least.” Nix was a serious badass.

“Will they help you?” Jude asked.

We’d already called in one favor with Nix’s friend Cass. She’d helped me find Ricketts’s goons. But I could still count on Nix. “I think so. We helped her once, about five years ago.”

“Then go ask her.” Jude looked at her watch. “It’s after three a.m. here. If you take the portal to Magic’s Bend, you’ll arrive in time to ask them tonight.”

Cade looked at me. “Do you need to rest?”

Sure, I was dead tired. But there was no time. “I just need to get cleaned up real quick. Then we’ll go.”

“Me too,” Ana said.

I nodded. Ana had helped Nix, too.

“Ana and Bree, if you’ll go to Magic’s Bend, I’ll stay behind with Jude, and we’ll do a briefing of what we found at the stronghold,” Cade said. “We need a well-designed attack if we want to destroy the stronghold and get ahold of all their records.”

I nodded, relieved. Cade had gone with me to get Cass’s help before, but it’d be easier if it were just Ana and me. Cass, Nix, and Del were FireSouls, a forbidden sort of supernatural.

They were so powerful that they didn’t have to be very wary anymore, but it was always easier to ask for help when the person you were asking was comfortable. Not bringing the god of war would be better.

* * *

After the quickest shower in the history of time and a change of clothes, Ana and I met in the main hall. She wore her new brown leather jacket and boots, while I favored black. The cool Scottish weather had totally switched up our usual wardrobe.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Yep.”

We crossed the lawn, Mayhem joining us as we hurried across the grass. The ham in her mouth was almost entirely intact, indicating that it was probably her second or third of the evening.

Security ham, I liked to call it. Never leave home without one.

We entered the forest, which was still recovering from last week’s terrible spell. Underbrush was dead and the gnarled tree trunks were blackened, but they were slowly recovering. Fairy lights had returned to the forest and seemed to be healing it, so despite the fact that the damage got worse the closer we drew to the portals, I had hope that this place would recover.

We’d even spoken to Jude a couple days ago about eventually re-opening the portal to the Fae realm and helping Rocky and Emrys sort out things with the Vampire Demon Bats.

The portal to Magic’s Bend glowed white, and we approached it.

“Age before beauty.” Ana gestured to the portal.

I grinned. “I’m only a few hours older, dude.”

“Hey, I didn’t make the rules.”

I laughed and stepped through the portal, out into the alley in the Historic District of Magic’s Bend. Ana followed, and we went out onto the main street, where partiers were really starting to get their jam on. All sorts of supernaturals roamed the streets, and no one blinked an eye at Mayhem, who fluttered at my side. A group of girls did coo at her, however.

I couldn’t blame them. Mayhem was cute.

I hailed a cab, and we hopped in.

“To Factory Row.” I glanced at the clock on the dash. Nine p.m. “Potions & Pastilles.”

The cab driver saluted, then peeled away from the curb. We rode in silence to the coffee shop/bar that was run by Nix’s friends. We’d probably find them there in the evening, and if we didn’t, at least we could ask Connor and Claire, their friends who ran the place.

The cab stopped and Ana paid, then we climbed out, Mayhem fluttering behind us.

As expected, the crowd inside Potions & Pastilles was thick. Through the wide glass windows, warm light glowed from the mason jar lamps hanging from the ceiling, and local artwork covered the wooden walls. In the corner, Nix, Cass, and Del sat in their usual chairs.

“It seems things don’t change,” Ana said.

“Fortunate for us.” I crossed the sidewalk and pulled open the door. Music flowed out.

From behind the bar, a young man with floppy black hair and a band T-shirt waved, then his eyes brightened with recognition. Connor.

I smiled and waved, then turned and headed toward Cass, Nix, and Del. They were three of the most powerful supernaturals I’d ever met. Cass, with her red hair gleaming in the light, sat next to Del, a Phantom-FireSoul halfbreed, who had an enormous Hellhound at her feet. Pond Flower, I thought her name was.

Nix, our target, wore one of the funny cartoon cat T-shirts that I remembered. Her eyes brightened when she caught sight of us approaching and she stood. “Bree! Ana!”

Cass and Del smiled and stood.

“Hey.” I waved, feeling a bit awkward now. I really should have made a point to visit them more, or keep in touch, if I was going to start making a habit of asking them for help.

“It’s been so long.” Nix smiled, her green eyes bright. “It’s about time you visited.”

She sat and gestured for us to take two of the big chairs.

We sat just as Connor showed up. “Long time no see! What can I get for you?”

“Coffee,” Ana said.

“Same.” Though I was sure Connor could make an amazing pink cocktail, I was too exhausted. It pulled at my bones, so what I really needed was some caffeine.

“With a boost?” Connor asked.

Oh, right. They made magical coffees. “Yes. Extra energy.”

“Same,” Ana said.

Connor smiled and saluted, then hurried back toward the bar. I turned to Cass, Nix, and Del, but they were watching Mayhem sniff at Pond Flower, who was a massive white and brown spotted hound dog with fiery red eyes.

Finally, Mayhem flew up to Pond Flower’s face and shared her ham.

“Nice ghost dog you have there,” Nix said.

I thought about mentioning her dragon abilities, but didn’t. “Thank you. She’s pretty great.”

“I’m guessing you need help?” Nix asked.

“How’d you know?”

“You two seem to keep to yourselves unless absolutely necessary,” Nix said.

“Ain’t that the truth,” Cass said.

I blushed, suddenly feeling extra guilty.

Del laughed. “Don’t worry about it. We were the same, once.”

“Things are changing,” I said. “We joined the Undercover Protectorate.”

“Wow!” Nix leaned back in her chair. “That’s cool.”

“Thanks. We like it. But we’re in some trouble, and we could use your help.”

The three of them leaned forward, interest gleaming in their eyes.

“Is it a fight?” Del asked. “Haven’t had a good battle in ages.”

“It could be, yeah,” I said.

“Probably will be,” Ana said.

Del clapped her hands together once. “Hot damn.”

“In particular, we need your help, Nix.” I explained the situation with the stronghold and the magic that powered it. “So you can see how we’d need you to transfer that magic out of the stone so that the stronghold will be destroyed.”

“I could do that,” Nix says. “And I’ve got just the object strong enough to hold the magic. I’ll bring it.”

“And who runs the stronghold?” Cass asked.

I’d been careful not to give too many details. When I’d seen her last, Cass had recognized that my magic was changing. That I was stronger than normal and something was definitely up.

Since then, I’d learned way more.

But should I tell her?

Del, Cass, and Nix looked at me, their gazes serious.

I glanced at Ana, who looked torn. Then she nodded.

I swallowed hard. It was only fair. I hated to share any secrets—but we knew that Cass, Del, and Nix were FireSouls. If they were going to risk their lives for us, they deserved our secrets as well. It was pretty shitty of me to even think of not sharing with them.

And they would keep our secrets. I could count on that.

Connor delivered our drinks at that moment, and I took mine.

“Thanks.” I sipped, waiting for him to leave.

Once he was gone and the coast was clear, I lowered my voice so other patrons couldn’t hear us. “They are the Rebel Gods, and I am a DragonGod.”

All three gasped low.

“Whoa,” Cass said.

“Double whoa,” Del added.

“Seriously badass.” Nix leaned forward. “You just learned this?”

“The transition comes late. I’m the Valkyrie DragonGod, and it’s my job to take down the Rebel Gods. This stronghold, at least. After that, we’ll see.” I really didn’t like the idea of these bastards running free, terrorizing people. The Valkyrie may have said that it was impossible to get rid of all of them, but I didn’t want to believe that.

Nix grinned “Yep. I’m definitely in.”

“We were in as soon as you walked in the door,” Cass said. “But this just adds fuel to the fire.”

“That’s true,” Nix said. “But I want a piece of the Rebel Gods. I thought they were gone, but if they’re back, then we need to get rid of them.”

Del scratched Pond Flower’s head as she shared the ham with Mayhem. “Have you been okay, otherwise?” Her eyes turned sad. “I have to assume you never found your sister, since she’s not here?”

Pain sliced through my heart. “We haven’t, but thank you for trying to help us all those years ago.”

After we’d first met them and realized that they were capable of finding almost anything, we’d asked for their help with Rowan. But she’d been impossible to see with their dragon sense—possibly because of a strong concealment charm, possibly because she was dead.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t do more,” Cass said.

“You tried, and we appreciate it,” Ana said.

“Where should we meet for this job?” Nix asked. “And when?”

“Meet in Little Grassmarket Close, in Edinburgh. It’s an alleyway in the supernatural part of town. Ten p.m. their time.” It’d be fully dark by then, giving us enough cover, and also some time to rest up. “There’s a portal in that alley. We’ll go to Kart-hadasht, in Tunisia, then cross through another portal into the Rebel Gods’ stronghold.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Nix said. “And you really should visit more often. We’d like to see you.”

I smiled. “Thanks. We will.”

As soon as I sorted out my magic, we’d make it a point. I needed to quit hiding from life.