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“That’s not good.”

“Understatement of the century.” Then I shrug. “Other than me, I’m guessing he wants the same old things—power, revenge, to rule the world… I think first off he means to take over all of Valandria. After that, likely he’ll turn his attention to Earth or even Astrali. Maybe I’ll ask him when we meet.”

“Yeah, it will give you two something to chat about.”

We’re quiet after that. We both have a lot to think about. The drive to the safe house takes around three hours. To be honest, I’m not entirely convinced that I’ll manage to find it again. It was so dark that night, and my memory is somewhat hazy—I’d been a little preoccupied—terrified Zayne was dying, and it was all my fault.

But while my driving is crap, my sense of direction is fabulous. And as we get closer, I recognize some landmarks. Finally, we pull into a drive with a set of big metal gates. It occurs to me that we might have to climb over the six-foot wall that surrounds the place. But just as Zayne pulls to a halt, the gates swing smoothly open, and we drive through.

“I don’t remember this place, at all,” Zayne says. “At least not from the outside.”

“That’s because you were unconscious. I thought you were dead. I’m glad you’re not.”

He stops the car in front of the house and turns to glance at me. “Me too,” he says.

Something shifts inside me at his words. I wasn’t sure if he’s accepted what he is. He obviously hadn’t shifted with Killian and his group. Maybe he wasn’t ready to share his beast just yet. But I can see acceptance in his face. And more than that. There’s a new inner strength. In the three years I’ve known him, there’s always been a wildness to Zayne, a sense of instability that seemed ready to explode at any moment. Never with me, though. With me, he was always careful. But I’d seen him in some horrendous fights. He’d always make sure the odds were against him. He never talks about it, but I’m guessing he had a pretty horrific childhood before he ended up in the foster system.

I hadn’t noticed the change in him until now. I’ve been too consumed with my own issues. But it’s there. He seems at one with himself.

The door of the house opens before I can say anything else which is just as well, as it would likely have been total mush. I recognize the spritely figure of Brown at the top of the steps leading up to the small mansion house. He looks like he’s in his seventies, but I know he’s much older.

The guardians are half-breed Astralis, bred with the specific intention that they protect the worlds of Valandria and Earth from Lucifer’s onslaught. Khendril was a guardian—I presume that’s how he came in contact with Killian—before he absconded to help Hecate look after me. They’re warriors, until they’re too old to be of use and then they are retired and given other work—often maintaining safe houses like this one. Or maybe safe houseisn’t the right word. These are usually where the mirrors are kept that connect the Astral plain with the other worlds. So they are guardians of the mirrors.

I get out of the car and climb the steps.

“Ms. Amber. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” He holds out his hand and I take it. Aw, he’s such a sweetie.

“Thanks, Brown. Likewise.”

I hesitate with what to say next, because now I’m here, I’m terrified to ask about Khaosti, in case the news is bad. As though if I put it off it might change the answer to a better one. Then Zayne and Josh join us, and I can legitimately delay my questions a little while longer.

“You remember Zayne? And this is my other brother, Josh.” I turn to my brothers. “And this is Brown.”

He shakes hands with both of them. I love how he treats Josh just the same. Josh is beaming. It warms me inside to see him smile; he’s had such a shit life.

“Come this way,” Brown says.

We all troop after him, through the huge front door and into a wide hallway with red walls and lots of paintings of pretty boring looking people. Then through another door into the beautiful book-lined library. There are two dark leather sofas; Josh and I sit on one. Zayne plonks himself down on the other.

“Can I get you any refreshments?” Brown asks. “Drinks? Food?”

“Pizza and beer,” Zayne replies before I can answer.

“That would be great,” I add, remembering Brown’s fabulous pizza from last time we were here. “Except no beer for Josh.”

He smiles and disappears.

He really is the perfect servant

And I get to put off asking those questions a little while longer. I sit back and close my eyes and breathe out slowly. This place has a peaceful feel…if you can forget the fact thatdeep underground in the basement is a mirror that would take you directly to the Chamber of Mirrors on the Astral Plain and right into the hands of Khronus. I shudder at the thought of him being so close. Well, notliterallyclose, but he could be here in minutes.

I peek out of one eye to look at Zayne. He’s been quiet this morning. I’m not sure whether it’s because he’s still hungover or because he’s thinking deep thoughts.

“What?” he asks, catching me peeking.

“Just wondering what’s going on in your head.”

“Not much. I sort of feel like I’m just a passenger in this whole little adventure and maybe I’m still trying to decide if I want to get off.”