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And I get that he finds it difficult to let go of his role as my protector. He struggles to see me as anything other than the pathetic little girl with no memory, no family, and no friends.

I consider the best method to bring him over to my way of thinking. I really do want him on my side and in some sort of agreement.

“Did you fuck him?” Zayne’s question interrupts my thoughts.

I go still.

“Zayne said a bad word,” Josh says.

“He did, didn’t he?” Yeah, he might be gorgeous, and he might be my brother, but he can also be a total asshole. You’d think he’d get on better with Khaosti. I consider denying it for one second.

“Yes,” I snap. “And it was amazing. And I’d really like to fuck him again. So I’m going to get him out of there.”

His eyes narrow as he considers my answer. I’m guessing it wasn’t unexpected. “What if you die?” he says. “Aren’t you supposed to be saving the world? What happens to the world if you go down saving that asshole?”

“Someone else will have to save it. Besides I’m not going to die. It will be easy. Just go in, get Khaosti, and—”

“Didn’t you hear her—he’s a fucking great wolf. What are you going to do—put a goddamn lead on him?”

That’s an idea. Hmm. Maybe some sort of magical lead? I just wish I could remember more magic. Maybe I should go check in with Hecate first—get some help, but Sheela said his time was running out. That with each day Khaosti was kept in his wolf form he was losing more of his humanity—except that’s the wrong word because he isn’t human.

“He’ll recognize me,” I say. “Besides, animals always like me. Why should his wolf be different.”

“Because he’s losing his mind.”

“Well, we’d better do this quick before he loses it completely.”

“And what—”

I hold up my hand. “No more. This is not negotiable.” I take a deep breath and let the tension seep from me. “I know you don’t like this, and you don’t like Khaosti. But Zayne, I’d do the same for you. This is what you do when your family or your friends need help. And it will be all right.”

“And if it isn’t?”

“Then I’ll deal with it.”

He searches my face. “You’ve changed.”

“Well, duh.” It would be surprising if I hadn’t, considering everything that’s happened and everything that I’ve discovered about myself. All the same, I can’t help asking, “For the better?”

“I’m not sure yet.” He’s silent for a moment. “What about we ask Killian for help. You did save their asses last night after all. They owe you.”

Honestly. I’d been thinking about that same thing myself. But on balance… “I don’t think it will help. My best bet is to go in and out quietly. If it comes to a fight, I don’t think Killian and all his people would be enough. Khronus has an army at his disposal. Then there’s the beastmaster thing.”

“What is that anyway?” Zayne asks.

I don’t even want to think about it, but I force myself to. A memory of the agony tearing at my body fills me. “He can literally rip the beast from your body. And then he can control it.”

“Shit.”

“Exactly. So if I can do this without meeting him again, that would be really great.”

“You keep saying ‘me’ and ‘I’,” Zayne says. “I’m not letting you do this alone. Even if I don’t agree with you.”

I’m silent for a moment, because I do plan to do this alone—or rather with Sheela—and I need to convince Zayne it’s the best way.

“I’m not staying here and letting you go to that fucked-up place alone.”

“I don’t want you to stay here. I think you and Josh should come with me to the Chamber of Mirrors. But then I want you to take Josh to Valandria. I’ll find a mirror and send you through before I go and rescue Khaosti. You can wait for a couple of hours and if I don’t reappear, then you should get Josh to Hecate.”