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“Dis Pater is his god. Kierce can’t act against his best interests. He’s already been ordered not to help me physically remove spirits from the parade, and I can’t extract individuals the way I did with you without him. That’s why you and I are doing this.Now.It’s the only way I can think of to save them.”

“Josie wasn’t lying.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You have the worst taste in men.”

Hard to argue the point when one was currently possessed by a divine beast who had used his body as a vehicle for an all-she-could-eat tour of the city and the other was one order away from being a threat to everything I loved. EverythingelseI loved?

Okay.

Skip the love part for now.

That was a big word, and this trip had thrown up some serious roadblocks. Like free will.

“Are you going to help me or not?” I decided to hit below the belt. “I did save your life, after all.”

“I knew that was coming.” He grunted as he stood. “I could see it from a mile away.”

“Should we do it in here?”

“Words I never thought I would hear from you.” He laughed at my sour expression. “And no. Not here. I don’t want my things destroyed when your man realizes who’s helping you act a fool.”

“Then where?” I shifted my weight. “The others will be awake soon.”

Kierce didn’t really sleep to start with, so he was more likely to rise early and investigate my absence.

“Let’s go down to the crypt.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Your mechanics are the only spirits in residence, so we can ask whichever one to vacate the room then set a circle to keep out distractions.”

There were additional protections on the crypt for souls who came for a visit, which would have been an added benefit if I hadn’t intended to fling myself out of my body toward a surly god and hope for the best.

Out in the hall, we both froze as metal springs creaked in the direction of Josie’s room.

“Just rolling over,” I whispered a moment later.

A scuffing noise, the thump of a boot on old planks, carried across the hall from the other direction.

“Jean-Claude,” he whispered back, “pacing in Mamaw’s room.”

All familiar, usually comforting sounds

Exchanging nods, we crept toward the elevator.

We eased in, and he mashed the button for downstairs while I crossed my fingers we didn’t get caught.

I expelled a slow breath once we hit bottom and stepped out into the garage.

Our arrival alerted Pedro to our presence, and he glided out of the crypt with a smile for me.

Until he noticed Rollo.

“What’s wrong?” He drifted over to stand in front of me.“Mija?”

“I have to astral project, and I can’t tell the others that’s what I’m doing, so I need a space where no one can interrupt.” I put on my best wheedling voice. “Keep an eye out for me?”

“Are you sure Josie shouldn’t know?” He set his fists on his hips. “Or Kierce?”

“Kierce can’t be a part of this. It wouldn’t end well for him. And it’s best if I tell Josie after.”

Otherwise, she would raise holy hell to keep me here out of fear of losing another sibling.

“I trust you.” He let his gaze linger on Rollo. “You’re sure you want him to help you?”