Ganner kicked debris aside and leaned over the gaping pit. "Report?"

"We lost Ursula," said the man.

"I know." Ganner swallowed hard, and Jax marveled that anyone could feel sorrow over that horrible old woman.

"We need Luis Morder down here right away. A creature came through these tunnels that hasn't existed since Niviane's day-and Sloane says the brownies brought it here. Did Morder know this was possible?"

"Morder's dead," Ganner said grimly. "He was one of the first victims of the Llyrs."

Jax sucked in his breath and leaned close to Evangeline. "Why? I thought he was on their side."

"That type of Kin hate Transitioners," Evangeline murmured. "It wouldn't matter that he was a half-breed. Once they didn't need him anymore, they killed him. I tried to warn him."

Sloane zeroed in on their whispering and fixed Evangeline with an accusing glare. "Your sister is colluding with Llyrs. Do you know what that means?"

"Forget her sister," Tegan spoke up loudly. "Where's my brother?"

"He's upstairs. We have more important concerns right now," Sloane said.

"Not to me, Dulac," Riley said. "My friends are my priority."

Sloane glared at Riley. "My grandmother is dead, and my clan is in crisis. But fine. You and your allies are invited into my home under our truce. I'll release your friend, and we'll discuss what to do now that the Llyrs have an Emrys heir."

Jax marveled at how anybody could speak with such self-righteous indignation about releasing her prisoners. As they walked around to the front of the building, Riley grabbed Jax by the arm. "I don't trust her. When we get near the front door, take Evangeline, make like Balin did, and get the heck out of here."

Evangeline wrapped her fingers around Riley's hand. "Stop commanding my vassal to act against my will. It's bad manners." Jax felt the compulsion of Riley's command dissipate before it could really take hold.

Riley sputtered, smothering the beginnings of several bad-mannered words.

Sloane glanced over her shoulder. "Do you really want to send her and Jax into the street when Llyrs are out there? Better you stay together. Of course, the street urchin and the Normal are welcome to wait in the lobby."

The street urchin and the Normal. Tegan and Billy. Not invited to the penthouse.

Riley snapped back at her, "If it's better to stay together, then we'll all stay together. Thanks anyway."

They crowded onto the elevator with Sloane and Ganner. Jax was shoved up against Tegan, and he wondered how she could still smell like tangerines when he smelled like sweat and wyvern blood and possibly leopard droppings.

But more than that, he couldn't shake the feeling that accompanying Sloane to the penthouse was a mistake.

"The boy's over here," Sloane said, turning left when the elevator stopped at the penthouse. But Tegan marched the other way and threw open the door to Ursula's office.

Inside, Thomas had his ear pressed against a safe in the wall while his fingers played with the dial. "Oh, hey, everybody," he said, glancing over his shoulder without any surprise. He turned back to the safe. "I could really use a drill."

"Amateur," said Tegan. But Jax saw the relief on her face.

"Get away from there!" Sloane exclaimed.

Thomas threw up both hands and sidled away, but when he saw Jax, he looked alarmed. "Uh, forces of nature . . ."

"Shut up, Tommy," Tegan said. "Jax is fixed."

Sloane looked at Jax, probably wondering how her magic had been reversed. "I'm sorry, Jax. It wasn't my idea."

"You helped, though," Jax replied, unmoved by the apology.

"I obeyed my clan leader," Sloane said. "But the current situation supersedes any rivalry between Transitioner clans." That comment was addressed to Riley.

"Rivalry?" His voice was deadly quiet. "Your grandmother had my entire family killed."

"She may have," Sloane conceded. "I wouldn't know. But we should be more worried about the future than the past. The Llyrs have an Emrys heir."

"I'll get her back," Riley said.

"What? You and these kids against the Llyrs?"

"We saved you, didn't we?"

"Why did you?" Sloane asked. "Chivalry? Hero complex?"

Jax thought she'd nailed it pretty accurately, but Riley stared her down. "Strategy. I knew we needed you alive to get out of there."

Sloane smiled. "Strategy is why you have to cooperate with me now."

Albert Ganner interrupted then, clearing his throat in the doorway. "Sloane, Sheila Morgan is here, demanding to see you regarding Pendragon."

"Now, Ganner? Really?"

"His vassals have reported he's being held here against his will. I can deny it, but Sheila will draw her own conclusion."

A rescue party, Jax figured. A little late. Or maybe not. They weren't out of Dulac custody yet. Outside the huge picture windows, New York City was a blur of leftover light in a deep purple Grunsday sky. What time is it? Jax wondered, looking around for a working clock.

"Send her up, then," Sloane said with a wave of her hand.

"And I couldn't stop this bunch from coming, even though he ought to be in an infirmary bed." Ganner moved aside to make room for Uncle Finn-not exactly on his feet, but not dying either. He had an arm over the shoulder of a security man, and Aunt Marian had her arm around his waist, but he walked in partly under his own power. Dorian scurried in behind them, but Lesley was nowhere to be seen. Jax wondered if her parents had forgotten to unlock her door, or if she was still staying in her room, out of all the action, by choice.

"Finn!" exclaimed Sloane.

"I owe you my oath of allegiance," he gasped in a raspy voice.

"It can wait," Sloane said when he tried to pull out his honor blade and go down on his knees right there.

"But I need a boon from you, about Jax . . ." Finn looked at his nephew.

Jax swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. He couldn't stand Uncle Finn. But he was really glad to see him alive.

"I haven't forgotten Jax," Sloane promised, helping Aunt Marian ease Finn into a chair.

"What about Jax?" Riley demanded.

Sloane straightened up. "You're free to go, Pendragon. And although I'd rather Emrys remain here, in our safekeeping, I swore an oath that she has safe passage to leave. But Jax stays. He's an Ambrose and a member of my clan. You can't have him."

35.

"YOU SWORE I COULD go!" Jax exclaimed.

"I said your friends could go," Sloane corrected him. "Not you."

"I'm not leaving Jax behind," Riley protested. "I came here to get him."

"We're his family." Uncle Finn's voice was weak. "Jax belongs with us."

"If you were a decent family, maybe." Riley glared at the bunch of them. "But you're kidnappers and murderers. I wouldn't leave a dog with you."

"Watch your mouth, young man," Aunt Marian snapped.

"His father left him in my care," Riley said.

"He's my vassal," Evangeline said to Sloane. "My claim to him is greater than yours."

"Jax is thirteen and too young to be a vassal. By rights, you should release him. Or," Sloane added sweetly, "you could stay with us too."

"What a dirty trick!" Jax scowled at his cousin.

"You're safer with us," Uncle Finn said, "now that the Llyrs are free and in this country."

"Really? Are you sure? You guys didn't even know Dr. Morder was a traitor. He brought the Llyrs here, and he was going to smuggle Addie out to them." Jax's accusation met with stunned silence. Sloane and Uncle Finn looked at each other in surprise. "Let's get out of here," Jax said to Riley and Evangeline. "They can't stop me."

"Pendragon," Sloane called out, "if you leave this apartment with my clansman, a minor child and my cousin, I'll consider it a hostile act. And then I'm not bound by my oath."

Riley's eyes darted around the room, marking everyone's positions: Billy and the twins, Evangeline . . . Albert Ganner, who'd moved to stand in front of the only door . . . the men stationed in the hallway near the elevator . . .

It'd been a trap all along, Jax realized. Riley's fingers twitched toward his honor blade. He could use the voice of command, but they were in the penthouse, with twenty floors of enemies between them and the street. Jax looked at Evangeline, who'd taken his hand and was staring at his mark with her brow furrowed. He squeezed her hand, then gave it to Riley. "Get everybody out of here. I'll stay. Nobody else is getting hurt tonight because of me."

Uncle Finn spoke up. "Jax, nobody wants to hurt your friends. We only want you."

Jax glared at his uncle. "Really? Because when you had me, all you did was try to get me to hand over Riley and Evangeline."

"I won't leave without Jax," Billy protested. But Riley jerked his head toward the door, and the twins grabbed Billy, pulling him in that direction.

Riley faced Jax, looking stricken. "It's my choice," Jax whispered to him. "I came here knowing this was a possibility. Keep Evangeline safe. And find Addie before they do."

Riley squeezed his shoulder. "This isn't over," he promised, tugging Evangeline toward the door. But Jax knew it probably was over. Smitty's fix was a one-shot deal. By morning, Jax could be completely brainwashed. He shuddered at the memory of what they'd made of him last night-a creepy Bad Jax who hadn't even known he'd been manipulated.

If my friends are safe, he reminded himself, it doesn't matter what happens to me.

Evangeline, however, refused to move. "Wait a minute. Jax, let me see-"

"Sloane." Ganner glanced over his shoulder. "Sheila Morgan has arrived."

Sloane looked as if she was enjoying herself. "Let her in."

Like her daughter, Sheila Morgan was petite with black hair. She wore a red leather jacket over leggings and boots, and although there were no weapons visible, Jax bet she carried a few concealed. But while Deidre always seemed to be on the verge of laughter, this woman's face looked like it might crack if she smiled. Jax doubted she'd be calling him "cutie."

"Good evening, Sheila," said Sloane. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm told condolences are in order," replied the Morgan clan leader. "It's unfortunate when someone as young as you is catapulted into a role of such responsibility."

Despite his grim circumstances, Jax had to smother a smile. On the surface, her words could've been an expression of sorrow for Ursula's death, but taken literally, they didn't have to be. Sloane's expression soured. "Thank you for your concern," she said stiffly. "But this has all so newly happened. I'm afraid you've found me unprepared for condolence calls."

Sheila Morgan pointedly eyed all the occupants of the room. "These people aren't here to comfort you? Then I assume they're here on business, and my visit is justified. I've come to inform you that Riley Pendragon is in breach of contract with my daughter, Deidre. If you were thinking about entering into your own contract with him, my clan would consider you a party to the breach, and all previous agreements between your clan and ours would be null and void."

Evangeline gasped as she finally figured out Riley's former relationship with Deidre.

Sloane crossed her arms. "I see. You didn't dare walk in here and accuse me of holding him captive, so you're accusing me of trying to arrange a marriage with him instead?"

"Well, are you?" Sheila demanded.

"Am I holding him captive or planning to marry him?"

"Either."

Jax had never realized how much Riley's lineage made him the Transitioner equivalent of The Bachelor. For his part, Riley was looking back and forth between Sheila Morgan and Sloane Dulac as if one were a man-eating shark and the other a man-eating tiger.

"Neither one," Sloane said finally. "Pendragon is turning over custody of my cousin, Jax. And then you're welcome to him."

"But we're not leaving without Jax." Evangeline glared at Riley. "Are we?"

"Sheila," Sloane said. "I call on you as a neutral witness. They're abducting my clansman. Any action I take is justified."

"He's not your clansman," Evangeline replied. "He would be if he was an Ambrose, but he's not." She took Jax's arm, making him hold up the wrist with the tattoo, then turned to Dorian. "Would you show me your mark?"

Dorian's mouth fell open. He held up his left hand.

Aunt Marian clucked in annoyance. "Yes, we know Jax's mark isn't right. It was an act of vandalism, if you ask me. But he's an Ambrose."

"My father told me," Evangeline said, taking Dorian's arm, "that ninety-nine times out of a hundred, if you alter a mark, you'll either ruin any chance of the person developing his talent-or it'll make no difference at all. But once in a hundred times, if the artisan is extremely talented and the change has significance, a branch-off line is created." She held Dorian's wrist and Jax's next to each other and turned to Sheila Morgan. "Sloane called on you as a witness, and so do I. Jax is an Aubrey. The very first Aubrey."

Deidre's mother frowned, examining the two tattoos. "Who marked you?" she asked Jax.

"A.J. Crandall," Jax said. He saw Riley cringe.