“Most of them don’t hop around,” Ambrose answered. “They pick a time and live there. Usually in isolation from the rest of the world so that they don’t cause problems or change things.”
That made sense, and Nick remembered the Bear clan in New Orleans talking about it. They had only jumped a handful of times before settling in New Orleans, where they’d founded Sanctuary, the bar and grill where all preternatural beings were welcomed and protected.
Even so, he couldn’t shake the sensation that this was new ground, not something that was destined. “I feel like everything is out of control.”
Kody sighed. “I feel like I’m the one who started this. If I hadn’t been so filled with rage, I would never have agreed to go back and destroy Nick.”
Xev scratched his chin. “That’s assuming you didn’t do that originally.”
“Had she been there, I would have a memory of it by now,” Ambrose reminded him.
“Would you?” Caleb asked.
Ambrose paused as he considered that. Time laws were peculiar things, and to be honest, he wasn’t an expert in them. Since Malachais didn’t time-travel, he’d never paid attention to the creatures who had those powers.
Or the rules of time travel. Other than the main one—never, ever do it.
But he was sure about one thing. “I have the memories of all Malachai. Even if my memories had been bound, they would have been freed when my powers took over.”
“That makes sense.” Kody rubbed Nick’s back. “Sadly, the only person who can really tell us what memories are what is Cyprian.”
“Wait a minute …” Xev’s face lost all color. “Inheritance. Think about it … Cyprian went back in time. Malachais can’t do that. If he time-travels, it means he must have inherited those powers from his mother. Right?”
Ambrose felt his own color fade from his face. “You’re right. She’d have to have them for him to inherit.”
“Would she?” Nick asked. “We time-traveled here, and you traveled to my time even though we don’t have the powers. Couldn’t he have hitchhiked those powers the same way we did?”
“He could, but that would leave a trail. Just like we both leave one for our enemies to follow.” Ambrose stroked his chin as he considered the matter. “The fact he leaves no mark means the powers come from within him and not a secondary source.” He met Nick’s gaze. “Since we both know that we’d never attack a woman and would never be attacked by one, that leaves a demon or goddess who can walk in dreams and attack us there. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Caleb started pacing. “So, we’re looking for a woman who can infiltrate dreams and walk through time.”
Ambrose nodded at Caleb. “We’re looking for a Skoti.”
Kody shook her head. “But they disbanded, right? Once Zeus’s curse was broken, I thought the Skoti stopped siphoning emotions from humans. There’s no need now that they have their own feelings restored.”
“Not all of them.” Ambrose paused as he thought about the matter. “Human emotions are an addiction, and after …” He paused again as he almost disclosed facts they didn’t know about their future.
That could be disastrous.
“After a certain couple of events Nick and everyone but Kody will live through, some of them remained on the dark side.”
“What about our half-brother Madoc?” Nick asked. “Which side did he choose?”
Ambrose gave him a wry grin. “Believe it or not, he was untouched by being Adarian’s son. Our brother has no Malachai tendencies or desires. No idea howthathappened. Maybe a byproduct of having his emotions drained for so long or because he’s part god. Either way, he’s never been controlled by his baser emotions.”
“Then could he help us narrow this down to who or what we’re looking for?” Nick asked again.
“We can try.”
Caleb cleared his throat to get Ambrose’s attention. “We”—he indicated Xev and the rest—“aren’t exactly welcomed around other gods. How about we wait here for your return?”
Ambrose inclined his head at the sound logic. Given the fact that the other gods viewed them as parasites and traitors—or worse, enemies—that made a lot of sense. “Keep the demons out of my house and don’t touch anything.”
Caleb smirked. “I’ll just save them for you to deal with on your return.”
“One thing.” Xev took a step toward Ambrose. “What do we do if our future selves show up?”
Ambrose snorted dismissively. “You won’t. Y’all only bug me when I call for you. And you always text first.”
