Ganymede followed Sparkle through the great hall to the hotel side of the Castle. He never got over the shock of going from a medieval setting to the lobby with its shops, club, restaurant, and modern conference room. Today, though, he didn’t pay much attention. He had two things on his mind.

Why would the Big Boss want a meeting this quickly? Whatever it was, Ganymede figured it wouldn’t be good news. Then there was Sparkle. No matter how worried he got, he couldn’t ignore the wonder that was Sparkle’s bottom as he trailed behind her. Purposely. He’d marveled at its swing and sway through the ages. She never had to worry about losing her troublemaker edge because her bottom would always be wicked.

He stepped into the conference room behind her. Crowded. Lots of people seated around the long table with more standing against the walls. Most were other troublemakers, including the newbies. But Holgarth, Ky, Amaya, and Zane were there, too.

Surprisingly, he spotted three of the Castle’s past managers. Conall—his favorite immortal warrior. Brynn—Sparkle’s favorite demon of sensual desire. And Eric—everyone’s favorite Mackenzie vampire. It would take a lot to drag Eric out during the day. He wore his daytime vampire outfit—jeans, boots, gloves, and a hoodie with the hood pulled so far forward you could barely see his face. What did Bourne have in mind?

“Quiet, everyone.” Bourne stood. “Zane, ward the room. I don’t want the wrong ears to hear.”

They all waited while Zane raised the ward. Then Bourne spoke.

“Troublemakers, Ganymede and I have explained what Zendig did to you, and why he sent you to Earth.”

A disgruntled voice complained, “Took you long enough.”

Agreed. Would he ever have opened up if Ganymede hadn’t gotten the ball rolling?

Bourne nodded. “Too long. My only excuse is I thought eventually Zendig would give up and allow us to live in peace.”

Didn’t hold water. Ganymede figured he’d known after the first ten thousand years that Zendig wasn’t about to give up. So why hadn’t he gone home to take care of the problem? Wait, Ganymede remembered now. Bourne had said something about not going back because he didn’t want to mess with his comfortable life on Earth. Not an excuse he’d expect from the Big Boss Ganymede knew.

“I’m sorry you had to suffer for his obsession with me. But now it’s payback time. Our objective is to draw him to Earth where we have the best chance of destroying him.”

Everyone cheered. Ganymede frowned. He leaned toward Sparkle. “He’s hijacking my idea.”

She shrugged. “Does it matter? We all have the same goal.”

Yes, it mattered. Ganymede had wanted this to be a solitary hunt, mano a mano, with some help from the newbies he recruited. But now the Big Boss was turning it into a free for all with a cast of thousands. Admit it, this is your ego talking. Maybe it was. A little. Okay, a lot.

Bourne continued, “It took some searching, but Conall and I located three of Zendig’s spies. We brought them back to the Castle. They’re in suite 214, the Wicked Consequences room.” Bourne’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I thought it appropriate.”

“Brought the enemy here? That’s stupid. Why aren’t they in the dungeon?” Ganymede muttered what he knew everyone else was thinking.

Bourne shot him a hard stare before continuing. “Sparkle, you’ll have to close Live the Fantasy until further notice.”

Sparkle wasn’t as polite as Ganymede. “Whoa. This better be the apocalypse, because not much else will convince me to close this park down. Do you have any idea what that involves? Canceling reservations. Returning money to guests I’m kicking out. Paying employees to stay home. I can’t get rid of everyone. There has to be a skeleton crew for essential jobs. Then—”

“If you don’t get rid of all the humans, they’ll die when Zendig shows up.”

“When is the operative word. Zendig could show up in a week, a month, or even a year. I really doubt he’ll be here tomorrow. Since I assume you’ll be posting people to warn us when he gets close to Galveston, I’ll evacuate the park then. I can have everyone out within an hour if I have to. The words ‘gas leak’ is an amazing motivator for people to move fast.”

“You’re not making me happy.” A distant rumble of thunder punctuated Bourne’s words.

She met his gaze. “Sorry. I don’t live to please you.” Then she smiled. “Look, I’ve done emergency closings before. I not only took a financial hit, but the reputation of the park suffered, too. I’m a businesswoman, and a closedown isn’t a cost effective way to run things. I won’t put lives in danger, but I also won’t panic and shut everything down way ahead of time.”

Bourne nodded, but he didn’t look convinced. “The three we brought back probably don’t know I’m the one they’re hunting. I didn’t leave any pictures of me back on Effix, and I’ve changed over the millennia. But just in case, I stayed out of sight after I found them while Conall convinced them that he had a way of luring the Big Boss to the Castle. He’d help them capture me.”

Zane interrupted. “Why would they believe Conall?”

Because he’s a big-ass immortal warrior? Ganymede smiled. Not many people would say no to Conall.

Bourne looked impatient with all the questions. Too bad.

“They believed Conall because I coached him on things he needed to know about me and Effix. And I might have used a little of my power to make them more open to what he was saying. Whatever. The bottom line is they accepted him as my enemy, someone willing to betray me. Are we done now?”

Mistral spoke up. “Not nearly. So what’s the double-cross, because there obviously has to be one?”

“We’re going to feed false information to these spies. They’ll pass it on to Zendig. My aim is to make him so angry he’ll finally give up on trying to find others to do his dirty work. If he buys the lies, he’ll take a physical form and come to Earth so he can kill me himself.”

“That was my idea,” Ganymede told anyone close enough to hear his angry mutter. “Where’s the credit? I’m not hearing any.”

Sparkle elbowed him. “Shush.”

Bourne looked at Amaya.

Amaya’s eyes widened. “No. Whatever you have in mind, it’s just no.”

Bourne acted as though she hadn’t spoken. “You can make yourself into anyone, so make yourself into me. After a few weeks of feeding them incendiary stories, we’ll wheel in a cage with you disguised as me inside. The spies see you in a cage. One of them returns to Zendig. He draws a picture of you, and Zendig verifies that yes, they’ve caught his hated enemy. They can celebrate an easy capture and receive their just rewards.” His smile was all teeth and no heart.

Ganymede spoke up. “Why do they have to describe you? Why not just take a picture and send it through?”

“Good question.” Bourne’s expression said he wished everyone would just shut up and do what he ordered. “Nothing that isn’t alive can survive the portal. That’s why everyone comes through naked. If a troublemaker is lucky, there will be someone close by to help. If not?” He shrugged. “The young one is on his or her own.”

Mistral frowned. “Still not getting the big picture.” He looked as annoyed as Ganymede felt.

“Then Conall says he’s changed his mind, he won’t negotiate with anyone but Zendig. Either he does the pickup or the deal is off.”

Sparkle looked thoughtful. “Lots of holes in your plan, Bourne. Zendig doesn’t have to show up himself. He’ll just order all of his people to converge on the Castle and take Amaya by force.”

“‘His people’ haven’t done squat to eliminate me after centuries of trying. Hopefully he’ll be so ticked off by then he’ll decide to come to the Castle in person to do the job.”

Amaya narrowed her eyes to glare at Bourne. “Won’t happen, because Amaya will be in Japan. Besides, why do you need me to impersonate you when you’re right here?”

Bourne’s expression hardened. But before he could do any threatening—because Ganymede knew that would be his next logical step—Mistral spoke up.

“I don’t think we should force her, Bourne. It wouldn’t be right.”

It wouldn’t be right? Everyone turned to stare at Mistral. When had any troublemaker ever used that excuse for not doing something? In fact, troublemakers would rush to do anything they could that wasn’t right. Ganymede just shook his head.

Mistral dropped his gaze. He’d shamed himself before his peers.

“Thanks, Mistral.” Amaya’s eyes shone as she stared at him.

Ganymede glanced at Sparkle. Her eyes shone, too. Guess she figured the chances of her matchmaking scheme succeeding had just improved a whole lot.

Bourne surprised Ganymede. He didn’t bring his hammer down on Mistral. He even looked thoughtful.

“I’d wanted your help, Amaya, so that I could remain free to counter any double-crossing schemes Zendig’s people attempted. But I’ll find another way. An unwilling ally is no ally at all.” He speared her with a hard stare. “You might want to choose your sides carefully. Zendig isn’t known for his loyalty to those who support him. Once he has no more use for you, he’ll discard you. Perhaps permanently.”

Amaya lifted her chin and glared at him. “I’ve never supported Zendig. I didn’t even know who he was until you told me. I’ll take my chances. May I go now? I still have cookies to deliver back in Cape May.”

“You know too much of our plan. I can’t allow you to run around free. You’ll stay in the dungeon until the battle is over. If we win, we’ll release you. If we lose…” He shrugged. “Zendig will decide your fate.”

“Dungeon?” Amaya’s voice rose until it ended in a squeak.

Mistral made a disgusted noise. He shoved his chair back hard enough for it to tip over when he rose. He left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Bourne turned to Ganymede. “Take her to the dungeon. Make her as comfortable as you can. Then go talk to Mistral.” He spoke to the others in the room. “We’re at war. Once everyone realizes that, we can go from there. Here’re the details of my plan.”

Ganymede didn’t wait to hear any more. He stood even as Sparkle called his name and then pushed his way to where Amaya sat rigid, her eyes wide. When he reached her, she stared up at him, terrified. Guess it would be tough for a fox to be locked inside a small room. But in this he had to obey Bourne. If she wasn’t with them, she was the enemy. He reached for her.

She became a fox with five fluffy tails whipping around her.

Startled, Ganymede stepped back as the fox lunged onto the table, scattering papers, cups, and water pitchers behind her. Bourne looked mildly annoyed.

The prey was escaping! That quickly, Ganymede’s troublemaker instinct took over. With a curse, he reached across the table for her. Amaya barked in alarm as she jumped from the table and scooted under it.

Ganymede ignored the panicked attempt everyone made to get out of his way. The ones along the wall—except for Eric, Brynn, and Conall—rushed for the door. Idiots. An open door meant a fox hunt through the Castle’s halls. Those still sitting at the table frantically scuttled away from the fox, trying to lift their feet out of danger as she snarled and snapped at any legs in her way.

Enough of this crap. Ganymede focused his power, and the table rose into the air, sailed over everyone’s head, then slammed into the far wall. Chaos erupted. Exactly how Ganymede liked it. He smiled.

The fox hurtled toward the door, but Ganymede was there first. She leaped. He grabbed. She was a clawing, snapping ball of red fur and slapping tails. Squeezing tightly, he murmured, “Caught, little vixen.”

Then Sparkle was beside him.

“Stop. You’re scaring her.” She leaned toward the fox, ignoring its threatening growls. “Amaya, he won’t hurt you.” Sparkle glanced at Ganymede. “Will you?”

He wasn’t sure. His troublemaker instinct said he should. He decided he wouldn’t. But he was pissed off that Sparkle even asked. “You know, you’re the one who wants to return to your wicked roots. So where do you come off making me the bad guy?”

Sparkle ignored him in favor of talking to Amaya. “You won’t have to stay in the dungeon long.” She rushed on as the fox fought harder. “We’ll make it just like one of the regular rooms—TV, comfy bed, microwave, beauty products. And I’ll talk to Bourne, convince him that you should be freed.” Amaya stopped struggling.

Ganymede shook his head. “Face facts, Sparkle. Amaya was working for Zendig even if she didn’t know it. I don’t think she ever gave him her two weeks’ notice. We forced her to come here. If she goes free, she’ll run right back to Cape May where Zendig’s spy can force every bit of info from her. I think Bourne is right this time.”

Sparkle offered him her stubborn face. “I don’t agree.”

“Nothing new there.” He looked down at the fox. The fox glared at him in return. “Look, Amaya, things would be a lot less messy if you looked human. You’re going to the dungeon no matter what your form, but we don’t want to cause a sensation.

Evidently Amaya thought a sensation sounded great because she stubbornly remained a fox. He shrugged as he carried her across the hotel lobby, into the great hall, and down the stairs leading to the dungeon level. Heads turned in his wake as Sparkle walked by his side with a nonstop litany of explanations for the curious.

“The fox is part of a petting zoo. The fox is acting in a movie being filmed in Galveston. The fox just wandered in off the street. We don’t have a clue who owns her, but she’s obviously tame.” Sparkle didn’t sound as though she believed any of them.

Amaya snarled and tried to bite Ganymede to show how not tame she was.

Fueled by a string of curses against all kitsunes, Ganymede finally made it to the dungeon. Sparkle flipped on the lights and closed the door behind her as he dumped the fox onto the floor. Amaya immediately scurried into a corner where she crouched with bared teeth.

Sparkle made an impatient sound. “Get over yourself, Amaya. No one’s going to torture you.” She waved at Mede. “Move the iron maiden into the corner.”

The fox’s eyes widened even more. Sparkle ignored her. “I’ll stay here with Amaya. You can find Holgarth. Tell him to send someone with a bed and anything else she’ll need.”

Good. Ganymede wanted an excuse to be gone from here. This place had always made him feel claustrophobic. He needed to be in a room with windows. “When I finish with Holgarth, I’m going to find Mistral. I don’t know what’s eating at him, but we don’t want him leaving. He’s too powerful to lose. We’ll need him.” He shoved the iron maiden along with a few other instruments of torture against the walls before heading out.

Sparkle followed him to the door then leaned in close to whisper, “Play up how grateful Amaya is that he tried to protect her. Tell him he might want to stick around to see that Bourne treats her fairly.”

Ganymede was puzzled. “I never pegged him for the protective type. You think he’s playing an angle?”

She reached up to skim her fingers over his jaw. “Ever the cynic, Mede. Not everyone has an angle.”

He kept his mouth shut, but he could’ve mentioned that during their years together they’d always had an ulterior motive for everything they did. Ganymede nodded and left her to ease Amaya back into human form. Good luck with that. The fox was really ticked off. Couldn’t say he blamed her.

Ganymede left a grumpy Holgarth with a list of things to be carted to the dungeon for their prisoner’s comfort. Then he headed up to Mistral’s room. He knocked. No answer. He knocked harder. Still no answer.

“Open up. I know you’re in there.” Ganymede wasn’t sure of that, but it seemed like a good guess.

“Go away. I’m busy.”

Ganymede’s temper was close to the edge. “Get unbusy. I’m in the mood to kick down some doors.” He counted to ten in his mind. On eight Mistral flung open the door.

“What the hell do you want?”

Ganymede strode past him into the room. “Thanks for inviting me in. Have any snacks?”

“Get out.” Mistral’s voice threatened all kinds of ass kicking if Ganymede didn’t leave.

Bring it on, shithead. Ganymede wandered over to the chair nearest the arrow slit that passed for a window. He dropped onto it. “Packing?” Mistral’s suitcase was open on the bed. It was half filled.

Mistral took a deep breath before closing the door quietly. Then he pulled out the desk chair and sat. “I’m done with this crap. I finally decided to settle down, even found a pink house by the ocean to live in.” He stared past Ganymede. “Now I’m in the middle of a freaking war.”

“You seemed okay with that when we left Jersey.”

Mistral shook his head. “Yeah, but not now.”

“Amaya?”

He met Ganymede’s gaze. “I’ve been the enemy a few times in my existence. Spent time in small, confined places. Amaya doesn’t deserve that. She never signed up to fight for Bourne or the troublemakers. She’s not one of us.”

Ganymede leaned forward. “From what I heard in the greenhouse, I didn’t think you’d be in her corner.” This was getting interesting.

Mistral raked his fingers through his hair. “She wasn’t so bad. She made me laugh.”

Ganymede didn’t want to feel sympathy for him, but it was tough not to. “Hey, if you stick around I’ll make sure you can visit her. She’ll need to see a friendly face.”

“You’d do that?” Mistral sounded wary.

“Sure.” Bourne wouldn’t think that was a great idea, but Ganymede would just make sure he wasn’t around when it happened. Then something occurred to him. What if these two got to really like each other? Sparkle was determined to tear them apart in the end. Something about that thought didn’t work for him anymore.

Ganymede took a guarded peek into his heart. He didn’t like what stared back at him. Insert drum roll here. He wasn’t ever going to regain his glory days because he’d changed. He didn’t think, didn’t feel the same way now. Was it natural evolution or Zendig’s power weakening? Guess it didn’t matter.

Ganymede decided that he’d do what he could to give Mistral and Amaya a chance. If they fell in love, he’d run interference with Sparkle. Was that being a traitor to her? Probably. But he’d fight that battle when the time came.

He shoved the thought of what that confrontation might do to their relationship to the back of his mind. “So, do you really think Sparkle might be your sister?”

Startled at the sudden change of subject, Mistral paused before answering. “Yes, I do. We came from the same portal at the same moment. That has to mean something.”

Ganymede nodded. “Makes sense. But don’t you want to know for sure?”

Mistral frowned. “Your point is?”

“You can stay and help us get rid of Zendig. Then we can find out if we have families still alive. There won’t be anyone to stop us. I don’t know about you, but I want to know. Sparkle wants to know, too.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. You’re lucky. You remember.”

“Not a lot.” Mistral leaned back, and Ganymede chalked up a win. He was going to stay. “So unpack. We can go down and—”

The door swung open and Bourne strode into the room. “Good. I found you together.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “We have some things to discuss.”