Page 37

“I swear I never doubted your party-planning prowess for a second,” I said, looking past her to the demons gathered in front of the mermaid fountain.

Something about Thea’s rescue just felt wrong. Like it was too easy. Like it was planned.

“Have you tried the pink lemonade, Bella?” Gin asked her.

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Ava, that master manipulator, had wanted Bella to save Thea. So by doing that, Bella had played right into Ava’s hands. But what was the demon’s grand plan?

“The tiny grilled cheese sandwiches are also amazing!” Zane said.

Ok, so we kind of knew what Ava wanted. After Thea had disappeared, Ava learned that she was the only one who’d heard a really important prophecy. The prophecy was seen by a powerful telepath: Zane’s father. And since Zane’s father had died, Thea was the only one alive today who knew what that prophecy said.

“And the blueberry muffins!” said Gin. “They taste just like Calli’s.”

“I used Calli’s recipe,” Tessa confirmed.

The prophecy was about the savior—maybe me or maybe my daughter Sierra—and the different paths she might take, including which one would lead to the final result Ava wanted: the total defeat of the Guardians without great losses and the certainty of demon dominion in the universe.

“I’m partial to the mozzarella sticks. I’ve already had six.” Calli sighed. “So much for my diet.”

The prophecy was definitely one reason Ava had pushed Bella to find her mother. She was eager to hear the prophecy from Thea. She was searching for the key to achieving the demons’ ultimate goal: to rule over all. For Ava to rule over them all.

“You don’t need to go on a diet, Calli,” Zane said smoothly. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

“You sure you want to waste your charm on me, Romeo? Aerilyn is standing right over there,” Calli said with a smirk.

“Not you too!” he exclaimed, clutching his head.

“Leda?” Bella tapped my shoulder.

I snapped my attention back to my family.

“You look distracted,” Bella told me.

“I have a lot on my mind.”

“You’re worried about me,” she said quietly. “That I have stars in my eyes when I look at my parents.”

“Yes,” I admitted.

“Don’t worry.” Bella smiled at me. “I know who they are.” She swallowed. “What they are.”

“I’m actually more worried about Ava,” I told her.

“Because she’s after that prophecy.”

“Yes.”

Bella nodded. “Ava is a problem, but we can handle her. She’s not as powerful as she once was. Not since the other demons kicked her off the council.”

“Did they?” I nodded. “Well, that’s certainly good news. But it doesn’t really change things. If anything, it makes Ava even more desperate to learn what that prophecy says.”

“Probably,” Bella said. “Even so, she won’t get what she wants. I haven’t spoken to Thea about the prophecy, but I doubt she or Khalon will help Ava. They must know she is trying to manipulate them. That’s all she’s ever done.”

“I hope you’re right, and Thea and Khalon won’t help Ava,” I replied. “But Ava must have some larger scheme. After all, she’s been planning this for a very long time. And she is very devious, even for a demon.” I set my hands on Bella’s shoulders. “You know you can come to me, right? If things get crazy, if your problems get too big, just call me. And I’ll be there to help you out.”

Bella gripped my hands, pushing us both down into a deep crouch just in time to avoid a baby angel dive. Sierra zipped past us, beating her wings hard to catch up to Eira and Damon. The three of them were apparently in the middle of an aerial magic battle. I flicked my hand, using a telekinetic spell to whisk away a valuable vase before they flew right through it.