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Shay knew there was a strong chance this would happen tonight. With Eugene’s aura sparkling on the map like a colorful dessert laid out on a silver platter, it was only a matter of time before Don noticed and sent his men to collect. And that time had already arrived.

In the alley, the kids continued to fight. Shay’s heart pitched about like a boat on waves at the sheer panic, thedistressin poor Paxton’s voice.

Gods, it made her furious. Where were these brats’ parents? Shouldn’t they have evacuated by now?

The kid pinning Eugene down pulled his fist back and punched him in the jaw.Thwack. Eugene cried out in pain.

Paxton wrested himself free from the other two, abandoning his jacket in his efforts to get away. When the kid who’d pinned him whipped his jacket aside and lunged, Paxton struck?—

He punched the bully in the nose so hard, the kid crashed to the ground.

Shay gave a quiet laugh of delight. That was a good swing.

But Trey and Simon were there now. The moment the bullies saw the men rounding the corner, they scattered like flies off shit.

Shay’s short-lived smile faded

“If you’ve got any lightning left,” Tanner whispered, “now would be a good time to use it.”

Eugene had scrambled to his feet, he and Paxton cowering away from the advancing men. Trey and Simon were speaking too quietly for Shay to hear what they were saying over the roaring wind that burned her eyes, but she knew the words were as heartless as they were.

She tried to summon her magic, but she was drained. So drained that her conduit tattoostillwasn’t glowing at full strength, even after the lengthy drive here. Frying anyone was out of the question.

Had her immense output of magic tonight broken something within her?

She pushed to her feet and started heading the other way—back the way they’d come. “Let’s go.”

Tanner got up and raced after. “What’s the plan?”

I don’t know,she thought. It was true—she had zero clue how to deal with those monsters of men, especially not when she and Tanner were both at a disadvantage when it came to fighting. They were Darkslayers, yes, but they both held the kind of positions that rarely included them in combat. Tanner was no Darien or Roman, and Shay was no Lace or Ivy. No matter howbadly she wanted to be like them, she simply wasn’t built for what they did.

Still, no matter what, she refused to abandon those children.

“We’re going to follow them,” she declared. She picked up speed, running back to the truck as fast as her legs could take her.

28

Roman’s House

YVESWICH, STATE OF KER

The plan was in motion.

Those who would be going after Paxton and Eugene were ready to leave, Devils and Shadowmasters exchanging one last goodbye near the front door. As for Loren, her group would be heading out the moment Darien was convinced that the shades of her aura were saturated enough to keep her stable for the long drive home.

She walked across the messy living room, sticking to the path Darien had cleared through the wreckage for her so she wouldn’t cut up her feet, toward the hallway that would take her to the pool. She wouldn’t be going for a swim, but she’d agreed to a session in the sauna. Warmth, she needed. No doubt about that. The city was getting colder by the minute, sleet thrumming on the roof and windows.

Darien shadowed her every step with pounding boots, the air between them as electric as ever.

Loren briefly hesitated when she saw Ivy coming around the corner just ahead. In her hand she carried a small suitcase. The moment Ivy saw them, she averted her gaze and picked up her speed.

As she drew near, Loren stepped out of her path, refusing to wonder which of them Ivy was avoiding the most.

Darien stopped his sister with a hand to the arm. “Ivy.”

It took her a moment to look him in the eyes, and when she did her face was blank. “What, Darien?”

“I think your plan is great,” he began quietly. “You’ve always made a fantastic leader, and I’m really proud of you for that. But I wouldreallylike for you to switch places with Lace and come with us back to Angelthene.”