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We were in front of the laptop again, giving Rhea and the Queen an update. The only one missing was Erron, who was still sleeping, but he had a good excuse. Given the extent of the wounds and the complexity of the healing ritual, he’d be out for a good long time. However, last time we’d checked on him, his color was better and his pulse was strong and stable.
As for the meeting, we’d begun with a review of what happened with Persephone. I was grateful that Alexis handled that part because I was using the extra time to decide how to address my own news.
“Well, thank the gods Erron will be okay,” Rhea said. “Sabina, I’m proud you used the healing ritual on your own.” The last time I’d used it, Rhea had led the way, adding her own impressive powers to the spell.
“I couldn’t have done it without Adam and Giguhl. I’m just glad we were here. If Erron had been alone…” I trailed off, not wanting to say what we were all thinking.
The Queen cleared her throat, signaling an abrupt subject change. “And what news of your meeting tonight, Sabina?”
I shifted uneasily in my seat. With all the craziness surrounding Erron’s situation, I hadn’t even had a chance to tell the others the full story of what happened.
“The good news—if you can call it that—is that we were right. Abel really is Tristan Graecus. I knew it the moment I saw him. He looks just like that painting in the library at Prytania Place, Rhea, except he’s got some crow’s-feet now.”
Rhea’s hand covered her mouth. “Praise the gods, he’s still alive.”
“Miracle number two,” Adam said under his breath.
I ignored that because the next thing I had to report canceled out the miraculous bit. “The first bad news is that Cain showed up at the meeting.” I looked at Adam to fill in his part of that tale.
“Luckily, between Tristan’s people and Giguhl and me, we managed to hold him off.”
“Tristan’s people?” Rhea asked.
Giguhl nodded. “A vampire and a faery from what I could tell. We didn’t speak to them, but we all kind of worked together to run him off. Once Cain ran away, they disappeared.”
Rhea frowned. “Magically?”
Adam shook his head. “More like highly trained operatives.”
“Any idea why Cain gave up so easily?” the Queen asked.
“Zen’s vexing spell helped,” Giguhl chimed in. “Remind me not to get on her bad side. That voodoo queen is dangerous!”
“It’s true. The spell helped.” Adam leaned forward on his elbows. “However, my theory is that his goal was intimidation instead of confrontation. Once Sabina and Tristan ran off, he gave up pretty quickly in his pursuit.”
“Any idea how he knew about the meeting?” Rhea asked.
We all shook our heads. “No one outside this room on our end,” Adam said. “I assume Tristan and his people didn’t tell anyone, either. They were as shocked as we were to see him there.”
“He’s most likely got someone watching you.”
I nodded. “I’d all but guarantee he does.”
“So why hasn’t he made a move and tried to get in here, then?” Alexis asked.
“Erron’s and Adam’s wards,” I said. “No one’s getting in here who they don’t approve.”
“Sabina, what happened after you and Tristan ran away?” Rhea asked.
I blew out a big breath. Moment of truth time. I felt their collective gazes and the weight of their expectations on my shoulders like anvils. So much was riding on my answer, and I was acutely aware how much I was about to disappoint them.
“That’s the other bad news. When Tristan set up the meeting, he apparently thought he was going to meet Maisie.”
Rhea made a distressed sound. “Why would he think that?”
I shrugged. “I guess he isn’t as well informed about what’s been going on as he thought. When I told him Maisie was dead, he got really upset.”
“Understandable,” Adam murmured. “She was his daughter.”
I shot him a get-real look. “No, it wasn’t that at all. He was upset because…” Here went nothing. “He seems to be under the impression that Maisie was the Chosen.”
“What?” Rhea shouted.
Next to me, Adam jerked like he’d been shocked by a light socket.
I nodded and held up a hand. “It gets worse, I’m afraid. Not only was Maisie supposed to be the Chosen, but he also said the only person who could kill Cain was—”
“Let me guess,” Giguhl said in a defeated tone. “The Chosen?”
I grimaced. “After he dropped that bombshell, he told me to leave Rome because I’d only be in his way.”
Rhea crossed her arms. “Excuse me, but that’s bullshit.”
“Amen, sister,” Giguhl said.
“My sentiments exactly,” Adam said.
I appreciated their support, but it was misguided. “Guys, listen,” I said, “I showed him the birthmarks. I even told him Maisie herself had a vision that I was the Chosen, but he wouldn’t listen. Apparently he’s got good reason to believe that when Maisie died, any chance of killing Cain died with her.”
A hush fell over the meeting. I sat back in my chair, exhausted. Even Giguhl’s potent blood in my veins couldn’t dull the pain of letting everyone down.
The Queen spoke first. She’d been uncharacteristically quiet during my recounting of the event with my father, but now she had plenty to say. “In my opinion, we have two choices. Either we assume Tristan knows what he’s talking about and trust that he has the resources to handle the situation. After all, he’s got his own team and has proven he’s capable of at least subduing Cain.”
“And the other option?” Adam asked.
“We trust that Maisie, the Oracle, knew what she was talking about and that Tristan’s intel is flawed. This scenario would, of course, require Sabina proving to her prodigal father that she is the Chosen.” She smiled mischievously. “But, well, we all know how much Sabina hates confrontation.”
“Please, like that reverse psychology bullshit is going to work.” I rolled my eyes. “Maybe Tristan’s right. Maybe we should head home and just circle the wagons.”
The Queen raised a brow. “I’m surprised you’re so quick to accept defeat.”
I slammed my hands on the desk. “What do you want from me? He told me to leave Rome. He doesn’t want my help.”
