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“Is golf a thing in Naples?”

“Apparently it is,” he grumbles.

I laugh and lean on the railing, the air chilly, but nothing compared to that of Maine’s bitter cold. Apparently, Naples is quite mild in the winter months. “I thought you were going to say he made you fight for our free ticket.”

“I’d have enjoyed that,” Zeke says. “He would not have.”

I bite back more laughter as Zeke really is quite foul over the golfing he’s endured, and I glance at Micah. “What’s between you and Lucius?”

“We were in the Fray together. He wanted to outperform me because my father was a dick to his father, who served under him.”

“And how did it end up?”

“We tied, the only tie in history. Shortly after, my father demoted his father. He believed it was because of me.”

“Was it?”

“My father was a brutal bastard. So probably, but I had nothing to do with it.”

“He hates you.”

“Yes.” The horn blows for our approach to shore, and he pushes off the railing. “Let’s hope that doesn’t become a problem today.”

I allow him to guide me toward the exit, with Zeke on my opposite side, and I can feel the tension in the two of them. They think Lucius is going to be a problem.

The Diviner is in a remote area of the island, and thankfully, we’re able to rift to a border outside the Amherst River. It’s then that we have to request entry at a gateway, which is empty space between two of the most enormous towering trees I’ve ever seen. The trunks are at least fifty feet wide, the bark a dark, shiny brown, a glint of magic sparkling within the depths.

Micah captures my hand, and the three of us step to the center of the trunks, just outside the gap between them. “Ameera, it’s Micah. I need to see you.”

“She’s only taking requests from me.”

I whirl around to find a tall, good-looking man with dark hair, olive skin, and crystal blue eyes. He’s dressed in simple jeans and a T-shirt, but he drips with arrogance. “Lucius,” Micah greets. “I need to see her. Now.”

He smirks. “You demand as if you’re royalty. Around here, that’s me.”

“Don’t do this right now,” Micah bites out. “Not now.”

“Tell me why you need to see her.” His eyes shift to me. “And who might you be, beautiful lady?”

I can feel the spark of anger in Micah, but I untangle our hands and step forward. “I need a binding spell. That’s why we’re here.”

“What kind of binding spell?”

Micah reaches through our mental link and issues a fast warning. Do not tell him who you are. You’re being stalked by a demon. The end.

Understood, I reply through our connection, and then to Lucius, “I have powers a powerful demon wishes for his own. We do not want him to possess those powers.”

He smirks. “Really? What powers would this be?”

Can I show him? I ask of Micah.

Show him.

I hold out my hand and allow flames to spark in my palm.

If he’s shocked, he shows no reaction. I close my palm and extinguish the fire. Micah steps to my side. “As you can see, we need to ensure the demon cannot take what is hers.”

“There is more to this, though, isn’t there?” Lucius speculates. “What aren’t you telling me? And what do I get for helping you?”