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When the Pilgrim had found Gemma Henley, she’d been muttering ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Magic Formula’, two very recent memories.

“How are you taking over people’s bodies?” I asked again. “Isthatwhat’s doing it?” I pointed at the silver chain wrapped around his arm. “What is it?”

“Ancient magic far beyond your understanding. I wouldn’t worry about it. After all, there is nothing you can do to stop us.” Mordon was laughing.

So was Kia. Even Regin looked mildly amused.

And that’s when it hit me.

“You lured us here, to this world,” I realized. “It’s all part of your plan to trap us.”

“Yes,” replied Mordon. “And no. Yes, we planted the map that lured you here.” He smiled at Kia, who took his hand with a haughty smirk. “We arranged that you would overhear us speaking about the map. We wanted you to know it shows ancient Immortal burial grounds packed with invaluable treasures. We knew that would pique your interest. You are so desperate to find new sources of Nectar and Venom.”

Of course. It had all been too perfect. Too easy. This special map that just happened to be right where we were, right when we were there. I’d hoped it was a gift, proof that the universe was finally paying me back for all the shit it had put me through.

But the Guardians had planted the map in the Vault for us to find. To lure us out here.

And we’d totally fallen for it—hook, line, and sinker.

“You think you finally understand, but you don’t,” Mordon told me. “You really don’t. Yes, we planted the map for you to find. But, no, you aren’t the prize, Leda Pandora. You’re the bait.”

I was trying to wrap my mind around what he was saying, but I just couldn’t. We were the bait? Bait for whom?

Nero’s parents? Damiel and Cadence would come to save us, and they were Immortals. The Guardians certainly held a grudgeagainst the Immortals for giving them the ‘wrong’ magic. And then there was the other part…

“You’re looking for a more powerful body,” I said.

“Naturally.” Schemes swirled in Mordon’s eyes. “If given the choice, why would I settle for anything but the absolute best?”

Nero suddenly tore himself off the wall, charging at Mordon. But the warriors moved in, cutting him off. While they held him steady, Kia pressed a burning knife to his neck. Fire and ash flaked off, singeing his skin.

“Don’t worry, Nero,” I told him. “We won’t let them get your parents.”

He continued to struggle, enraged. He’d gone completely berserk. Magic was raining down on our enemies, but together, combining forces, they managed to hold it back.

I gaped in shock as they dragged Nero to the wall and prepared to nail him to it again.

“Don’t worry, dear,” Kia laughed at me. “You’ll get there too soon enough.”

Get where?

Spears plunged into my legs now. I seized up, biting down so hard on my tongue that blood poured out of my mouth. Mordon pounded me with Vertigo’s magic, and the world flipped like it had been turned upside down.

I’d get there soon enough? What did she even mean by that?

They drove two more spears through my legs, but I hardly felt the fire this time. I’d gone completely cold.

Why would I settle for anything but the absolute best?

Slowly, painfully, it came to me. Mordon wasn’t talking about Cadence or Damiel. They were powerful, but there was someone who had them beat.

Someone unique.

Someone whose power outshone even the Immortals’.

“Oh, no,” I choked out.

I heard the clang of another spiked spear tip driving through hard stone, but the pain was too distant. Too weak compared to the agonizing fear in my heart.