“I was jogging the perimeter and not sneaking at all,” he said. “You were talking to yourself so loud you didn’t hear me, or Skylar.” He nodded upward at the school’s wall, where the giant orange cat was padding on his tiger-like paws, keeping up with Aurox. “Why do you think Kalona was nicer than you?”

I made a gesture in the general direction from where distant girl giggles could still be heard. “He let them pull his feathers. I detoured all the way over here to avoid them.”

Aurox smiled. “That doesn’t make you less nice. It makes you smart. Young humans hurt my ears, too.”

I grinned back at him, glad things felt easier between us since we’d discovered Skylar together. “Young humans, especially young human girls, would like you. They’d think you’re super hot,” I teased. Then instantly wished I could take it back, because the easy, friendly feeling between us evaporated.

“I should get on with my patrol. Blessed be, Zoey.”

He started to jog away and I snagged his wrist. “Hey, hang on. I didn’t mean to say anything to make you mad.”

His broad shoulders slumped. “I’m not mad. I just get tired of it.”

“It?” I asked, clueless.

“It—the fact that I’m not what I seem. If those little girls knew what I could turn into, they would be terrified of me.”

“Oh,” I said, getting it. “But they don’t know, and you aren’t turning into anything right now. Why don’t you do what Rephaim does? He lives every moment of his human life to the fullest. He doesn’t let the fact that he has to be a bird every day ruin life for him.”

I could see I’d given Aurox something to think about. At least he didn’t jog away, or turn all cold and distant. We walked on for a while without saying anything. When he finally answered me, he did so in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

“I would like to be like that, but Rephaim has two things I don’t have, two things I don’t think I’ll ever have.”

When he didn’t keep talking, I prompted, “What two things?”

“The forgiveness of Nyx and the love of a woman.”

I started with the one that wasn’t a ticking time bomb. “Why don’t you think Nyx has forgiven you? Have you asked her?”

“Every day,” he said. “I light a candle at the feet of her statue and ask for her forgiveness every day.”

“Well, then, why would you think the Goddess hasn’t forgiven you? You’ve chosen her path. You’re only doing good. You even saved my grandma from Neferet.”

“She’s never spoken to me.” The sadness in his voice made him sound like he was a zillion years old.

“Nyx hasn’t spoken to a lot of us,” I said.

“That’s not true here. Nyx has appeared multiple times. She appeared today.”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“The Goddess knows what I am. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“Aurox, that can’t be true. Nyx allowed Heath’s spirit to enter you so that you could choose to be more than a vessel.”

His gaze met mine. “She didn’t do that for me. She did that for you.”

I didn’t know what to say to him. I’d spoken with Nyx’s authority before, when I’d heard her voice, or felt that nudge in my gut that said I was on the right path. I didn’t feel either of those things right now. I just felt bad for Aurox.

“And as for the second thing—you know why I’ll never have that,” he said.

“Aurox, I care about you, but I’m with Stark. It’s just too complicated between us for that to change.”

“No, Zoey. You don’t care about me. You care about Heath. And that’s why it’s too complicated to change. Now I am going to finish my patrol.” His smile was sad and sweet. “Blessed be.”

It was after he’d walked away that I noticed the absence of the warmth that had been spreading from the small, circular stone that rested between my breasts.

“Old Magick,” I whispered, staring after him. “Aurox is definitely hooked into Old Magick.” So how the hell could that help me?

I had no clue. But I was going to figure it out. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Aphrodite: Include Aurox in your group text. I waited until my phone wookie roared with her return text saying Okay. Go to sleep before I walked the rest of the way to the dorm.

My feet felt super heavy as I dragged them up the stairs and to my room. It was cool and dark and quiet inside. Stark was sound asleep. I was glad. I didn’t want him to wake up and feel my sadness and stress. I’d have to explain about the Seer Stone soon enough. And I didn’t want to explain about Aurox at all. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, and worried in silence.

I had to move Nala so that I could lie down next to Stark. She only grumbled for a second and then she circled the covers at my feet, making a little Nal nest, flopped her fatty body down, and started up her purr machine. I closed my eyes.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

I sighed and fluffed my pillow and scooted away from Stark so that my restlessness wouldn’t bother him.

“You’re worrying again.” Stark’s voice was sleepy. He pulled me back against him, and his hand found my shoulder, which he started to knead gently.

“You don’t have to do that. I know you’re super tired,” I said.

He moved my hair and kissed the back of my neck. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

“Thank you for taking care of me,” I whispered.

“Always, Z. Always,” he said. And his touch led me to sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Lynette

“Lynette, my dear, you look lovely!” Neferet smiled and walked a circle around her. “I knew my gown would suit you. You’re much thinner than your old clothes make you appear.”

“Well, lately I’ve lost weight,” she said, smoothing down the silk dress. Lynette caught a glimpse of herself in Neferet’s long mirror. I do look good, even though the only way I could fit into this dress was to have the gathered waist completely ungathered. “And you were correct. It is good for morale to dress up and look our best.”

“Of course I am correct. I am Goddess!”

Lynette watched Neferet do a graceful twirl around the room. Her long golden dress swirled around her and her serpents wriggled enthusiastically about her ankles, like they were a perverted version of puppies.

Kylee entered the penthouse. “Goddess, your supplicants are gathered in the ballroom, awaiting the gift of your presence.”

Lynette was nodding her approval to Kybot—the girl had addressed Neferet exactly as she had coached her—when Neferet whirled by, taking the dumbstruck receptionist in her arms and commanding, “Waltz with me!”

She’s been like this ever since she figured out how to break the protective spell. It’s like she’s having a manic episode. Neferet’s jubilance worried Lynette. She knew all too well that what went up had to come crashing down. I’m not going to be in her path when she crashes, Lynette promised herself. My survival instinct is one of the things Neferet appreciates about me—she’s told me so.

“Lynette, do stop thinking of yourself and pay attention.”

Immediately, Lynette focused on Neferet, expecting to have to handle one of her temper tantrums. But Neferet wasn’t unpleasant at all. She gave Kylee a last twirl and then, smiling and fanning her flushed face, Neferet simply repeated herself—exhibiting no anger or irritation at all toward Lynette.

“I asked if you’d made sure Tony did as I commanded. You know he’s little more than a child’s windup toy.”

“Oh, yes, Goddess. Of course I did.” Lynette assured her. “I double-checked everything before I came to you. Tony did exactly as you commanded. He prepared a feast, using the last of the food, and serving the last of the wine and liquor, to all your supplicants.”

“Even my staff?” Neferet sent Kylee a fond smile.

Lynette nodded. “Yes, even your staff.”