The wolf's claws found Murtagh's shoulder, carving red tracks that caught the moonlight like some twisted form of modern art. And that was when Tseki officially lost his shit. He barreled forward looking like he'd forgotten every etiquette lesson he'd ever learned. He looked ready to burn down half the county. When someone messed with his mate, ‘civilized dragon’ went right out the window.
Fire bloomed around his hands, but this wasn't your standard backyard barbecue flame. He aimed his dragon fire straight at the wolf's nastier bits. The thing's scream shattered glass three counties over. It also shattered three windows in the house. The orange glow in its eyes started flickering like a dying lightbulb.
That's when wolf number three went statue-still and locked eyes on something behind us. Then it smiled. If you could call it that. I'd call it the kind of expression that makes you want to check your life insurance policy.
"The door opens," it said in that grinding voice. "The witch-mother calls us home."
A black portal tore itself into existence twenty feet away. Through it stepped a woman. Underneath the human mask was something ancient and hungry that had never been remotely human. "The Forgotten One," Persephone breathed
“The who?” I blurted before I backed up.
The woman's head swiveled toward me with the kind of interest that made every survival instinct I had start screaming. When she smiled, I got a good look at teeth that belonged in a horror movie. "The star-bearer. How convenient. My employer grows impatient."
"Your employer can bite me," I shot back, though my voice was more terrified chipmunk at the moment.
The Forgotten One laughed, and it sounded like someone had recorded a blizzard eating a wind chime, then played it backwards through a megaphone. "Oh, she intends to do much more than that."
Suddenly, the portal behind it began pulling—not physically, but magically. The parasitic connections responded as well. They were helping to drag me and the triplets toward whatever hellscape waited on the other side. The babies' protective magic flared in response. It wasn’t enough to stop the pull.
"The bonds call them home," the Forgotten One crooned. "Come willingly, and the little ones need not suffer."
"Over my dead body," Aidon snarled. His power erupted in waves that made the portal flicker.
"That can be arranged," the creature replied pleasantly.
Nana stepped forward with her shotgun and proved that sometimes the simplest solutions were the most effective. She had loaded special shells. She had Murtagh help her make them using enchanted iron and salt from the Dead Sea. When she pulled the trigger, the blast caught the Forgotten One center mass. The creature stumbled backward with a shriek.
"Fucking tourists," Nana muttered, pumping another shell into the chamber. "Always thinking they can come into my garden and threaten my family."
The portal wavered as the Forgotten One's concentration broke. The remaining wolf finally broke free from Vera'smoonbell barrier. Instead of attacking, it bolted straight for the portal.
"They're retreating," Jean-Marc observed.
"No," I said, watching the way the Forgotten One's eyes remained fixed on me even as it backed toward the portal. "They got what they came for."
"Which was?" Mom asked with a frown.
"Information," I replied grimly. "They know more of our defenses. They've seen how we fight, what magic we use, and how we are protecting the house. This was reconnaissance disguised as an attack."
The Forgotten One's horrible smile widened as it stepped through the portal. "Until next time, star-bearer. My employer sends her regards."
The portal snapped closed, leaving us standing in a garden that looked like a war zone. Chunks of lawn were missing. The ritual circle was also completely destroyed. And the house would need new windows. Again.
"Is anyone injured?" Clio called, already moving toward Murtagh, who was bleeding from several deep gashes.
"I'm fine," he said, though he was far from it. "It’s nothing fatal. Tseki's fire cleaned out the corruption before it could spread."
I pressed both hands to my belly, checking on the triplets. They were agitated but unharmed. Their magic was still humming with defensive energy. The parasitic connections felt stronger than they had an hour ago, as if the Forgotten One's presence had somehow amplified them.
"The good news is that ritual materials are intact," Vera reported as she surveyed the scattered herbs and candles. "We can rebuild the circle."
"Not tonight," Aidon said firmly. "They'll be watching for another attempt. We need to change tactics."
That's when a new voice cut through our post-battle planning session. "Actually, we might have another option."
Everyone turned to see Hades materializing near the water. He was carrying an armload of ancient scrolls that practically radiated historical significance. When had he left the fight? The last time I saw him, he was fighting a wolf intent on attacking me. I needed to pay more attention.
"Melinoe found records in the deepest archives," he continued, setting the scrolls on the picnic table. "Parasitic bonds like these were used during the Faction Wars three thousand years ago. There are documented countermeasures."
