focus on the sensation—warm, firm, and full of promise. If I could freeze myself in one moment in time, it would be this one. My sisters and I have accomplished so much already, and we’re about to risk our lives to save countless others. But right now, in this moment between pride and fear, held by the boy I’m pretty sure I’m growing to love, I’m tempted to pull him closer and forget the rest of the world. I have to force myself back to reality.
I push against his shoulders.
His eyes glow with the same fire running through my veins.
“I will meet you back at the marina before you leave to open the door.”
Then he grabs the wing pendant in his fist, whispers something in a language I don’t understand, and vanishes into the ether. He was right—that was fast.
I stand there for a few moments, just breathing in and out, while the tingle in my lips fades. When it’s gone, I finally turn and walk back to my car full of monkeys—I’ll have to give Moira an extra-special bath once this is all over. The time for romance and fantasy is gone. I have to earn the right to bring it back.
The war is about to begin—my sisters and I are going to start it. And if we want to finish it, we’re going to have to be heavily armed when we do.
“Come on, monkeys,” I say. “Time to find some weapons.”
CHAPTER 31
GRACE
While Greer goes to her school and Gretchen goes off with Nick and Sillus, Thane and I stay at the marina. He gives me a little distance, moving off under a nearby tree as I pull out my phone. My hand shakes as I start to dial Milo’s number.
Sure, he’s been very understanding about all of this—he didn’t run screaming from the room, never to be seen again—but this might cross a line. Knowing this world exists and participating in it are two different things.
But my sisters are right. We need as many people helping us, fighting on our side, as possible. And the results of the war, whether we win or lose, affect the humans who live in this world, too.
He picks up on the third ring.
“Grace?” he asks, his voice a hushed whisper.
Shoot. I forgot it was a school day. He’s probably in class right now. I can’t remember the last time I was in class. Time has just slipped away from me.
“Sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t have—”
“Hold on,” he whispers. His voice is muffled as he says, “Mr. Johnson? I need to use the restroom.” Moments later, he’s back at full volume. “What’s up? Everything okay?”
I smile at how easily he got out of class. He is such a charmer.
Then I remember why I called.
“Actually . . .” How do I say this? I’m about to be involved in a mythological battle for my life, and I’d like you at my side? Well, maybe that. “It’s time,” I say quietly. “We’ve found the door, and we’re about to—”
“Where are you?” he asks.
“I’m at the marina,” I say. “We’re trying to gather some forces to our side before all Hades breaks loose.”
“I’ll be right there,” he says.
Then the phone goes dead, and I’m left silent and stunned. He’s coming. He’s really coming. Just like that. I need him, and he’ll be right here. How did I get so lucky?
Thane walks back over to me. “Okay?”
I look up at him. “Yeah,” I say, confused. “I didn’t even have to ask. He’s . . . he’s on his way.”
Thane winks at me. “I pick good friends.”
He does. Milo might not have any godly blood in him, no personal reasons to get involved with this war, but his friendship with Thane and his feelings for me are enough. He’s in.
Next, I scroll to Cassandra’s contact info.
“Grace?” she asks when she answers two rings later. “Is it time?”
“Yes. We’ve found it,” I whisper. Even though we’re not near the door, I don’t want to risk being overheard—not if we really are being watched. “We’re ready.”
I tell her where the door is and where we’re meeting.
“I’ll be there soon,” she says. “And I’ll bring the reinforcements.”
Before I can ask what that means, she’s gone.
I walk over to Thane and sit down next to him on a bench. I place my hand over his.
“You know I love you, right?” I ask him.
He twists to look at me, surprised by my question.
“I know you’re worried that I’ll hold your past against you.” I squeeze his hand. “But nothing can change the fact that you’re my brother in every way that matters.”
“I—” He tries to pull his hand away, but I hold on tight. “I lied to you, Grace-face. Since day one.”
I turn to face him and make sure he’s looking at me when I ask, “Were you lying when you told me that Sherwood Pierce was a moron if he didn’t see how great I was?”
Thane laughs and shakes his head. “No.”
“Were you lying when you crawled into my bed and told me you were scared of thunderstorms?”
Again, “No.”
“Were you lying when you told me you would protect me with your life?”
“Of course not,” he says, trying to look away.
I tug him back to face me. “Then nothing else matters. You’re my brother,” I say again, “and I love you. End of story.”
The emotions battling inside him show on his handsome face, the hope and the guilt fighting for prominence. But I know Thane—the core of him, not the pesky details—and I know that hope will win in the end.
I don’t say this out loud, but I’m relieved to finally have the secrets of his past out in the open. They have been eating at him for so long, he could never truly be his whole self with us, with his family. No matter how much he loved us and wanted to belong, he always kept himself at a bit of a distance.
Now, he’ll be able to shed all that armor.
The first step, I think, is whatever is growing between him and Greer. He’s never dated before, never seemed interested in forming relationships outside the family. Probably because he thought he wouldn’t live long enough for them to matter when his bosses found out he was defying them.
I’m glad he’s finally taking that step.
“You and Greer are a good match,” I say, turning to look back out over the water.
He doesn’t say anything; he doesn’t have to.
As we both stare out at the boats, we fall into a peaceful silence as we wait for everyone to return—for my sisters and the support they’re bringing with them.
I’m shocked when the first car that pulls up is our station wagon. Mom jumps out of the passenger side and runs over to me.
She wraps me in a big bear hug. “Oh good,” she cries. “We’re not too late.”
“Not too—?” I pull back and look at her. “Mom, what’s going on? What are you doing here?”
“When Thane called,” she says, her eyes damp, “I was afraid we wouldn’t get here in time.”
I give my brother a questioning look as Dad gets out of the car and walks over.
“I told them. Everything.” Thane shrugs. “I thought they should know.”
“We want to help,” Dad says, walking up to Thane and proudly wrapping an arm around his shoulder. For once, Thane doesn’t pull away.
“No,” I say, glaring at Thane. “It’s too dangerous.”
