My jaw drops. Armageddon invades Purgatory and this is the master plan to drive him out: hand over my mother? Talk about living in a dream world. My insides twist with worry at the thought of Mom in the hands of that fiend. Who am I kidding? Any of us could be handed over to the King of Hell. It’s across-the-boards terrifying.

“You told Armageddon where we’re all hiding?” Mom rolls her eyes. “He’ll come here all right, but not just for us.”

The Oligarchy look around the room, their gaze pausing on the Scala and then Adair. “We see the Scala Heir is here as well.”

Tim rushes to Adair’s side, pulling her up from the floor. “Yes, mighty Oligarchy. She’ll be useful to you. If the Senator isn’t enough, you can negotiate with her as well.”

The Oligarchy’s eyes flare bright. “Yes, most suitable.”

Adair struggles under Tim’s grip. “I’m not the Scala Heir. It was all a fake.” She points directly at me. “She’s the one. She’s the Heir.”

My back teeth lock. Now she decides I’m the Scala Heir.

The Oligarchy let out a gurgle that I’m guessing is their laugh. “You’re whatever Armageddon believes you to be, little girl.”

Adair staggers backwards until her back hits the concrete wall. “But I’m not the Heir, really.” All the color drains from her face.

“It won’t come to that.” The Oligarchy hiss in what I’m guessing is meant to be a comforting tone. “Armageddon will take the Senator and leave.”

My stomach churns with an unpleasant realization. The Oligarchy may be grasping at straws in offering Mom to Armageddon, but they aren’t all that stupid. They brought the Scala in here and are acting nicey-nice with Adair for one reason: they’ll give Armageddon anything he wants in order to save themselves. And the King of Hell wants his son back. No doubt, he wants whoever succeeds the Scala too.

“Don’t worry, Great Scala Heir.” The Oligarchy bow slightly to Adair. “The plan is perfect. Handing over the Senator will work.”

Walker’s eyes blaze red. “Time to change the plan.” He lowers his head and a portal starts to take shape by the far wall.

The Oligarchy’s gaze snaps in Walker’s direction. “Don’t try to circumvent us, traitor.” The portal vanishes.

Crud. The Oligarchy shut Walker down. We’re running out of options.

An idea appears in my mind. Maybe I can distract the Oligarchy with an igni display. I don’t need much time, just long enough for Walker to open a portal. I nod to myself; that’s an awesome scheme. Raising my hand to shoulder-height, I close my eyes. Lincoln instantly grabs my wrist, pulling it down.

“Myla, please.” His mouth barely moves as he whispers to me. “He’ll know.”

No question which ‘him’ Lincoln’s talking about: Armageddon.