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“They’re words in some ancient language. I think.”

“Show me.” She slid a pen and a pad of paper across the table.

I filled several pages with words I didn’t understand in a language I couldn’t speak. When I was done, I slid the pad back to her.

“The same symbols were on the book the thief had. The one who broke into the Legion research facility four years ago,” I told her.

“I recognize the symbols.” Cadence tapped the pad. “They’re from a very old Immortal language.”

I leaned forward eagerly. “Can you read it?”

“No,” she said. “There’s an old book written in that language. It’s called Transformation. That is all I know of it.”

“Do you have the book here?”

“No, it’s not in our home library. I believe Eva and Jiro have a copy in their library.”

I jumped out of my seat. “We should go there.” My stomach gurgled.

Cadence looked down at it. “I think you should eat something first.”

“There’s no time to eat. The fate of the universe is at stake!”

“What, again?” Damiel said casually as he strolled into the kitchen, smiling.

“How much did you hear?” I asked him.

“Everything. I’m an accomplished eavesdropper. And very nosy.”

“He’s not wrong about that,” Eira sighed. “He knew Lycus Dragonblood was going to ask me out even before I did.”

I spun toward my best friend. “Why didn’t you tell me that Lycus Dragonblood asked you out?”

“Because he didn’t,” Eira said sourly. “Not after Damiel Dragonsire, former Master Interrogator and current pain in my ass, went to him and had the Talk.”

“What Talk?”

“The Talk is when your overbearing father goes to any boy who likes you and scares the living daylights out of him.”

“My dad doesn’t do that.”

Eira snorted.

“What?”

“Of course he does that, Sierra. My brother is just way more subtle about it than my dad. Nero scared him so badly that he didn’t tell anyone what happened.”

“What happened?” I asked. “And who is this ‘him’? Who likes me?”

“It doesn’t matter. He won’t do anything now that Nero got to him.”

I frowned. “I’m moving to a place where no one’s ever heard of my parents.”

Eira sighed. “Take me with you when you do, ok?”

“Are you two quite finished with your hysterics?” Damiel asked us.

“Your dad’s doing that thing again where he’s acting like an angel,” I told Eira.