We walked silently through the dimly lit tunnel, the Fates’ dark magic pulling us onward. After about a hundred yards, we reached a crossroads, where another tunnel intersected our own.

I hesitated briefly, looking at my sisters and Lachlan.

“Forward, I think,” Bree said.

“I feel it, too.” The dark magic tugged at me, strongest in front.

We continued on to where the path curved gently left. A prickle of awareness streaked over me. Whatever we wanted was around that bend.

“I think I hear someone up ahead,” Bree whispered.

“Guards?” I asked.

“Maybe. They’re talking quietly.”

“Let’s use your invisibility to go forward,” I said. “If there are guards, we’ll retreat back to the crossroads in the hall to come up with a plan. Sound good?”

“Aye,” Lachlan said.

Bree and Rowan nodded, and Bree’s magic swelled briefly on the air. As soon as we disappeared, we started forward, walking on silent feet toward the bend in the passage.

As soon as we made it past the turn, I caught sight of four guards standing in front of a heavy door. They were the same species as the ones at the bottom of the well, which meant they had a great sense of smell.

Immediately, I retreated back to the crossroads in the hallway. A moment after I stopped, Bree’s magic faded, and the four of us appeared.

“We can’t sneak past them,” Bree said. “They’ll smell us.”

“Attack?” Rowan asked.

“We could, but I hate to leave a trail of bodies or missing guards to lead others to us,” I said.

Bree tilted her head as if she heard something, then whispered, “Someone else is coming.”

I peeked around the edge of the hall, staring straight down the passage that we’d come from initially. Four figures wearing white, hooded robes approached us, their gait measured and stiff.

I pulled back into my hiding place and turned to my sisters and Lachlan. “Cult members, I think. They almost seemed like they were in a trance. They’re headed toward the guards.”

Bree and Rowan peeked around, then turned to me.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I asked.

“Let’s steal their clothes,” Rowan said.

“And use them to sneak in,” Bree added.

“Aye, good plan,” Lachlan said.

We lined up out of sight of the hallway where the cult members were walking, ready to pounce. As soon as they walked in front of us, we each grabbed one, putting our hands over their mouths.

My captive thrashed and struggled, but I squeezed his neck in a sleeper hold that made him go limp. I laid his unconscious body on the ground and pushed back the hood.

“Unknown species of supernatural,” I said. “Not demon.”

“Mine too.” Bree looked up at me. “Young.”

“We can’t kill them, then,” Lachlan said.

“Mine should be out for an hour at least,” I said.

“Mine too,” Bree and Rowan said in unison. All three of us had learned the same sleeper hold together. Uncle Joe had taught us, and we’d used it to subdue rowdy bar patrons back when we’d been waitresses in Death Valley.

“An hour should give us enough time,” Lachlan said.

We pulled the robes off the cult members and traded out our costumes, dressing the unconscious figures in the dark robes we’d stolen from the washing line. Lachlan tore strips off one of the robes to make gags and bindings, and we tied up the cult members so they couldn’t run or scream when they woke up. Given how busy the upper level of this compound had looked, I had to assume someone would find them soon.

“I think I see a door a bit farther down the hall,” Bree said.

I hurried to check it out. It was more of a cave carved into the dirt than anything else, but it would do. I returned to my sisters and Lachlan. “Yep. Empty room. Let’s put them there.”

We dragged the bodies into it and left them lying against the wall.

“That should do it,” Bree said.

I pulled my hood up, cringing at the smell of body odor from the dude who’d previously worn the robe. Fortunately, the top of the hood came down low over my face, concealing most of my features.

Bree, Rowan, and Lachlan were equally covered up, though Lachlan’s robe was definitely too short.

“Hopefully they won’t notice,” he said.

“Fingers crossed.” I peered out into the hallway, grateful to find it empty. “Let’s walk up to the guards and try to say nothing. Hopefully this is a stoic, quiet cult.”

We strode out from our hiding spot and lined up the same way I’d seen them walking, then tried to mimic their measured steps as we approached the guards.

My skin vibrated with tension as we went. I prayed the guards wouldn’t figure out that we were fakes. As we neared, the smell of their magic nearly made me gag. Old, rotten, and reeking of dead things. They were just as big as the other guards had been, with bulging muscles and huge horns.

I swallowed hard as I stopped in front of them and nodded toward the door.

They just stood there, staring back at us.

Waiting.

But for what?

Frantic, I studied their figures, looking for some kind of clue. They each wore a dark tunic with a white symbol on the front—a cross within a circle. The circle wasn’t quite complete, and the open end had an arrow on it.

I squinted at the symbol, realizing I’d seen it next to the carving of the three Fates. Instinct pulled, my druid sense lighting up at the sight of the symbol.

I raised my hand, moving it in a pattern that replicated the symbol on the demon’s tunic. I used the little arrow as a guide for which direction I should use to create the symbol.

He grunted and nodded, then turned and pushed open the door.

Shock washed over me, and I stepped through the door, not hesitating for a moment. My companions followed, and we strode down the empty hall on the other side, trying not to hurry.

I glanced back just in time to see the door shut on the other side, the guards disappearing behind it.

“Holy crap, how did you know to do that?” Bree asked.

“My druid sense.” I shook my head. “It was the weirdest thing.”

“That symbol was in the crypt, over the door,” Lachlan said. “Good thinking.”

It had been mostly instinct, to be honest. But I was glad it had paid off.

We continued down the passage, which soon opened up into even more tunnels. We were deep under the earth, with no light except for a few sconces in the walls.

“We’re getting into the underground city now,” Rowan said.

“I can still feel their magic, though.” I pointed to a cave on the left. “The Fates are that way.”

“Onward, then,” Bree said.

We hurried down the passage, no longer sticking to our sedate, cult-member walk. The farther we went, the more passages we found, until we finally reached a large open area that looked like a central meeting place. The decorations were much finer here, with a beautiful mosaic floor and high ceilings supported by columns. Statues lined the walls, beautiful works of art that looked to be thousands of years old.

“Those look Roman,” Lachlan said.

“The whole place does.” I remembered images of mosaic floors from the research books I’d scoured, and they’d looked just like this. “Their magic is stronger, too, though I don’t think they’re here now.”

“Yeah, it feels too quiet,” Rowan said.

Bree rubbed her arm, no doubt feeling the same light prickle I did. “Let’s look around. See if they left anything useful.”

There were several exits off the main atrium, so we started exploring. We entered the first room through a tunnel, finding a square space with a mosaic-floored pool in the middle. It was shallow, with water gleaming under the light of torches. Several rooms exited off the main space.

“This looks like the central space of a Roman house,” I said. Just like the picture I’d seen in the books.

“One of their homes?” Lachlan asked.

“Maybe.” Their magic certainly lingered here.

We explored the rooms, finding a bedroom and sitting area, along with a room filled with sacrificial offerings.

“Someone’s a hoarder,” Bree muttered.

“No kidding.” I exited back into the main atrium, then found another house. “It’s set up identical to the first.”

“Perhaps each Fate has their own house down here.”

“Living underground all this time?” Rowan shuddered. “Sounds terrible.”

“They’re no longer worshipped like they once were,” I said. “Maybe they aren’t welcome above.”

“They’re crazy murderers,” Bree said. “Who wants to invite that to a party?”

I nodded. “True story.”

It didn’t take us long to search all three houses and determine that there was nothing here. At one point, the Cats of Catastrophe joined us, but they quickly wandered off to explore.

“We’re so close,” I said. “Yet there’s nothing here.”

“Are we in the right place?” Rowan asked. “This is their home, but maybe they have headquarters elsewhere?”

“It’s a possibility, but I—”

Magic surged on the air, cutting off my words. Suddenly, my head felt woozy, and a sense of giddiness raced through me, making me want to laugh.

What the heck kind of magic was this?

Rowan rubbed her head. “What’s going on?”

“There’s a god incoming,” I said. “The magic is so strong.”

A flash of light to my left nearly blinded me, and I turned. A man stood there, his form flickering in a strange way that I’d never seen before. One moment, he wore the robes of an ancient Roman. The next, he wore a more elaborate outfit of silks that was rich with embroidery. Like something the Pope would wear.

Or a saint.

“St. Bacchus,” I said.

Of course. His magical signature made a person feel drunk. The air tensed around me as my friends stiffened, ready for an attack. I really hoped that wasn’t St. Bacchus’s intention, though, because we’d have a damned hard time fighting a god.

“You are the Dragon Gods that I’ve been hearing murmurs about.” His voice rumbled with power.

“We are.” I studied him, looking for any sign of intended violence. I saw none. “Why are you here?”

“You may have noticed my statue up above?”

“It moved.” I hadn’t been imagining things, then.

“I watched you enter. What are you doing here?”

Ah, that was the question. I looked at my sisters and Lachlan. Did we tell the truth? They didn’t seem to know what we should do, and neither did I.

I looked back at St. Bacchus and realized there was no point lying to a god. If he’d been paying any attention at all, it was obvious why we’d broken in. And I didn’t feel any menace coming off of him.

“The Fates have abducted our friends,” I said. “We want to save them.”

St. Bacchus nodded, a grim expression flashing across his face. “I thought that might have something to do with your appearance.”

“So you know of their abduction?” Bree demanded. “Where are they?”

“Of course I know. I am a conduit between the Fates and the modern world.”

I shot him a sidelong look. He certainly didn’t appear to be any kind of modern, in his old religious robes. But considering how archaic Orvieto had seemed when we walked through, he was modern in that sense. I didn’t point that out, of course. I wasn’t a moron.

St. Bacchus sighed. “I am not pleased with their actions any longer. At first, I thought they could do some good in the world. Or at least, not do too much harm. And they reminded me of a more familiar time. Back when we were gods. When we were worshipped.” An expression of longing crossed his features.

“You miss it?” I asked.

“Of course I do.” His form flickered, and he appeared in his fancy religious robes. He pulled at the fabric. “Being a saint is not so bad. But it’s not godhood.”

“You’re still a god, though. I can feel your power.” It nearly made me stumble.

“But I am no longer worshipped.”

“And that’s what most of the gods want,” Lachlan said.

“Of course. Centuries of everyone thinking you’re the best thing since wine of Opimian vintage? Who wouldn’t want that?”

I didn’t know what Opimian vintage was, but he seemed to think it was amazing. “The Fates want it, don’t they? They don’t like their new role and want more power. Like they once had.”

St. Bacchus nodded. “Precisely. And they have a plan to get it.”

“What plan?”

He shrugged. “That, I do not know entirely. But it has to do with your friends that they stole away. Somehow, they’ll use them to get the power and influence that they have lost.”

“Power hungry.” Bree shook her head. “A dangerous thing.”

“And they want vengeance,” St. Bacchus said. “For the death of their sister.”

That I couldn’t blame them for. They might be evil, and I hadn’t had a choice if I wanted to save my own sister, but I could understand why they’d be pissed. I’d tear someone apart if they hurt Bree or Rowan. I had, in fact.

“Why are you telling us this?” Rowan asked. “Can we trust you?”

“Trust me or not, that is up to you. But I tell you these things because I no longer like what they are doing.”

“Where do we find our friends?” I asked.

“In the Parco dei Mostri. They have a stronghold there. Even better than this one. But you should hurry. I believe they have something terrible planned, and they are nearly ready to implement it. You may already be too late.”

“What’s the Parco dei Mostri? And where is it? What’s the plan?” Bree asked, the questions tumbling out.

A rumbling of footsteps and shouts sounded in the distance. My heart thundered as I turned, searching for the threat.

“Your time is up,” St. Bacchus said. “They have discovered your arrival here.”

“The priest,” I said.

“They are all part of it,” St. Bacchus said. “Most of them, at least.” He turned and pointed to the far edge of the atrium, to where there was a little passage leading away from here. “Follow that. You cannot transport from here, but if you are lucky, you will find one of the exits at the side of the cliffs. It will be dangerous, but it is better than facing the hordes of the Fates’ followers.”

The sound of their footsteps and shouts grew louder, nearing us. I spared a quick glance at my companions, and they all nodded.

“Let’s run for it,” Lachlan said.

“But wait, where’s the Parco dei Mostri?” I demanded. “What is it?”

St. Bacchus had already disappeared, and the first of the cult members had appeared in the atrium, fifty yards away. Then more. Dozens of them.

“Run!” I sprinted toward the passage that St. Bacchus had pointed to. As I neared, Muffin appeared, his friends at his side.

I found the way out! Follow me!

Thank fates for his curiosity. We followed Muffin, Bojangles, and Princess Snowflake III into the narrow tunnel. The horde of cult members chased us, their footsteps echoing.

This way! Muffin careened around a bend in the tunnel, going for an even narrower passage.

The way kept getting skinnier and skinnier, until it nearly brushed my shoulders.

“Will we fit?” I shouted.

I think so!

Not very inspiring, but I plowed on, following my friend. Soon, the tunnel widened, and we were in an entirely different part of the underground city. Thousands of wine bottles lined the walls, their contents kept cool in the dark chamber. Massive wooden barrels were stacked alongside, as big as cars.

“Hang on!” Lachlan veered toward the wine barrels, which were propped on their side. He pushed one away from the wall, rolling it toward the tunnel to form a barrier between us and the cult members.

“I like how you think!” Bree joined him, using her super strength to push another of the barrels.

Rowan and I teamed up, pushing our own. The cats joined us, their front paws propped up against the wood.

Despite my terror, I stifled a laugh. I didn’t think the little animals could possibly be helping, but it was cute.

Then Bojangles lowered his paws, and the barrel suddenly became a hell of a lot heavier.

“Wow, that’s a strong cat.” Rowan panted.

“No kidding.”

We shoved it into place, completing the blockade.

“That should hold them off for a bit,” Lachlan said. “Let’s go.”

We sprinted away from the wine barrels, continuing through the tunnels, Muffin leading the way.

We’re almost there!

A crash sounded from behind us. The wine barrels had given way.

I pushed myself harder, my lungs heaving.

We entered a section of the underground with the strangest walls I’d ever seen. They were made of stone, but hundreds of little nooks and crannies had been carved out. Each was about eight inches by eight inches and contained a live pigeon, snoozing away.

Muffin yowled, and the other cats joined in. Their howls woke the birds, who shot out of their roosts and filled the air with squawking.

I covered my face and sprinted through them. Beaks and claws poked me, tiny points of pain. Through the gap between my arms, I could see Muffin chasing the pigeons back into the deeper part of the tunnel, creating another barrier between us and our pursuers.

Keep going! he shouted. You’re almost there.

I could smell it—fresh air. And there was a tiny shaft of light coming from up ahead. I sprinted for it, grateful to see a human-sized hole in the earth, beyond which the dark night gleamed with welcome, the moon shining bright.

I stumbled to a stop right at the edge of the exit, my stomach lurching at the realization that we were halfway up the cliff upon which the city sat. The slope below us was steep, and there was nothing but air in front of me.

“Let’s go!” Rowan shot past me, scrambling down the mountainside. It was more of an uncontrolled slide, but it was the best we had.

Bree leapt through the exit, her silver wings unfurling as she flew into the night.

“You can do it,” Lachlan said.

“I’m never going to escape my fear of heights.” With my heart in my throat, I climbed out of the tunnel and onto the steep side of the cliff, my fingers gripping into the dirt and stone.

I scrambled down, faster than I wanted to, sliding into the darkness as stones and twigs tore at my clothes.

Eventually, I slid to a stop next to Rowan, who was wedged against a larger boulder almost all the way to the bottom.

“Think we’re out of range of their protections?” she asked.

“Maybe.”

Lachlan slid down next to us, covered in dirt. The cats followed, Bojangles and Princess Snowflake III rolling down as dirty balls of fur. Muffin flew, but it was a weird hopping motion where he landed every dozen feet, only to take off into the air again, his little wings barely holding him aloft.

Bojangles went to roll past me, and I reached out, grabbing him around the waist. Rowan snagged Princess Snowflake III, who hissed at her.

“You’re welcome,” Rowan said.

“Can you make a portal?” I asked Lachlan.

Shouts from up above caught my ear, and I looked. Dozens of cult members spilled down the mountainside, their descent even less graceful than ours. Some of them tumbled end over end. There were enough of them that they could crush us, though, dragging us farther down the mountainside.

“I bloody well hope so,” Lachlan said. His magic flared on the air as Bree landed next to us, crouching on the insanely steep hillside and gripping a small tree for support.

A moment later, a portal appeared. The cats lunged into it, and we followed. Gratitude welled in me as the ether sucked me in and spit me out on the front lawn of the Protectorate’s castle.

The chill night air enveloped me, and I sucked in a grateful breath as I climbed to my feet.

Lachlan leapt out of the portal a half second later, and it closed behind him.

Panting, we stood on the lawn and looked at the castle.

“We have a clue,” Bree said. “The Parco dei Mostri.”

“The forest of monsters,” Lachlan said. “I’ve only heard whispers of it, but it’s in Lazio, a region just north of Rome.”

“Oh, thank fates you know what it is.” Tension seeped out of my shoulders. We’d had barely a minute with St. Bacchus after he’d mentioned the Parco dei Mostri. “Let’s go tell Jude. I think we’re ready to launch a rescue.”

“I don’t think we can afford to wait much longer, anyway,” Bree said. “St. Bacchus seemed pretty convinced that they were nearing the end of their plan.”

I nodded, and we set off across the lawn, headed for the castle. The stone circle caught my eye as I passed it, and the memory of Sulis flashed in my mind.

Half a dragon god.

It was true, and I felt it. I’d probably been feeling it for a while now, every time I was able to use my shield magic, but I’d been resisting it. My magic wasn’t complete yet, and there was more growing left to do. But could I save my friends if I was only half a Dragon God?