Whoever it was, they would regret this stupidity.
He’d make sure of it.
At least, that was his thought until he came face to face with the last thing he expected.
A snot-nosed teen who bore a frightening resemblance to himself. Right down to a tacky Hawaiian shirt that all but glowed in the dark. Even now, he both cringed and was warmed by the memory of his mother’s happiness whenever he’d worn one of those ghastly things that should have been set on fire. Preferably with him in it.
What the hell?
Even more shocking, the kid wasn’t alone. His demon companion Caleb was with him. Along with Aeron, Kaziel, Xev, Zavid, and Vawn, and a teen girl he didn’t recognize.
“What is this?”
The boy “Nick” stepped forward. “You’re going to want to sit down for this, old man. After all, I got the idea from a future you. I’m the old you from the past, and I’m here so that we can fix the timeliney’allscrewed up. And hopefully save the life of our son and everyone else we love.”
Hallucination? That was the first thought in Ambrose’s mind. How else to explain this?
Then again …
They were supernatural beings. Logic had no place here. And he’d think they were even crazier, except for one thing …
“Where’s Takeshi?” Ambrose asked. He was one of the few beings who could bend time to his will and make this possible. More than that, he’d been a friend for centuries. Ever since Ambrose had freed Takeshi’s wife from service to the Malachai.
“Keeping his head low. Last thing he wants is to attract the notice of those who would take exception to his helping us do what they don’t want done.”
Made sense, and that sounded like the confusing crap that had come out of his mouth when he was a boy. “I really wish that made more sense.”
Young Nick laughed. “Tell us what you know so far. Have you gone back in time to try to alter the past?”
Ambrose scowled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Nick passed a relieved glance to Kody. “Good. We got to him in time.”
“In time for what?”
Aeron pulled back the closed curtain in Ambrose’s living room to show a burned-out, desolate landscape that had replaced the once bustling city he’d grown up in. “Stop Armageddon, by the looks of it.”
Nick’s jaw went slack as he moved forward to see the hollowed-out buildings and debris that lined modern Bourbon Street. “What happened?”
Ambrose sighed heavily as he used his powers to close the view he’d once cherished. “It began with rioting. Lawlessness. The police force quit or were fired. The preters were discovered, and mankind didn’t take it well. Then the wars came … Finally, the old gods decided we’d screwed up the planet enough, and they stepped in with a war of their own. The Chthonians returned to take their place in the world.” He winced at the unwanted memories. “Now, they all continue to battle for control. Mankind, monsters, and gods. This isn’t a place to raise children, so I have no idea what you’re talking about when you tell me we have a son.”
Kody sighed heavily. “What year is it?”
“3227.”
Wow. That would make him over a thousand years old. Nick couldn’t even imagine living that long, and yet he was staring at his future self. While he’d known the Ambrose who came back to save them was old, this hit home in a way nothing else ever had.
All the changes in the world.
All the nightmares he must have witnessed and lived through …
He regretted ever giving Ambrose an ounce of lip, and now he held a whole new respect for his future and the man he’d one day become.
No wonder he’d violated time laws to try to stop this.
Horrified, he met Kody’s gaze.
She smiled sadly. “I’m born in 3225.”
