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I wondered if my own mother knew I was hiding something from her. But what good would come of telling her? It would only make her sad. She would never act on it. She would never put herself above everyone else.

I could tell Calli, however. And so I did. I told her everything I knew about the Cure.

When I was done, Calli paced back and forth across the kitchen a few times, then turned to face me. “You want to do the spell, don’t you?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Who am I to decide all of this for everyone?”

The ring of the doorbell drew us out of the kitchen. My mom’s cousin Aerilyn had arrived.

“Hey, Foxy,” she greeted Zane with a wink, leaning her back casually against the wall.

“No, I will not have sex with you, Aerilyn.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“You never ask.” He sighed. “You insist.”

“Really?” Mischief twinkled in her eyes. “That doesn’t sound at all like me.”

“No, of course not,” he replied, heavy on the sarcasm.

“Not to worry. I’m immortal. I have all the time in the universe.” She took the plate of pie Calli handed her. “And I’m persistent.”

“Annoyingly persistent,” Zane grumbled.

“Stop flirting with me, Zane Pierce. It only makes you look desperate.” She winked at him. “But such dalliances will have to wait, I’m afraid. I’m here on official business.” She looked at my mom. “Leda, Grace sent me to serve as Sierra’s bodyguard.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” I protested.

“Yes, clearly.” Aerilyn smiled at me. “You certainly haveneverthrown yourself into mortal peril.”

“Did Grace send you to protect me?” I asked her. “Or to make sure I didn’t mess up anything else?”

“It wounds me that you would even need to ask that, Sierra,” Grace declared as she and Faris walked into the dining room.

They must have been standing in the front lounge, just waiting for their chance to make a dramatic entrance. Deities. They always had to be the center of attention.

“We are aware of Lavinia’s plans. And the unfortunate turn of events,” Faris added, glancing at me. But then his eyes were back on my mom. “She plans to take revenge on you?”

“Very likely.”

“Leda,” Faris said with a dramatic sigh. “You do excel at making enemies.”

Her eyes locked with his. “Look who’s talking, Pops.”

“I will send more soldiers to protect you and the rings.” Faris glanced at Grace.

“It will be difficult,” she said. “My soldiers are otherwise engaged.”

Faris’s eyes drew together. “You aren’t planning on attacking me again, are you, Grace?”

“Don’t be so self-centered, Faris. Not everything I do is about you.”

“Then what is it about?” he countered.

“If you must know, some of my facilities have experienced recent break-ins. My soldiers are busy investigating.”

“Thefts?” he asked.