The Oligarchy’s faces turn slack. “Even our people of the Dark Lands cannot portal to us now.” They look downright mopey. Good. They were only hanging around because it was a safe place to negotiate. Plus, Tim had conveniently organized all their bargaining chips here in the form of my mother and Adair. I’m sure they never expected they’d become prisoners too. Now we’re all in the same boat. Hope sparks in my chest. That can only help us work together.

Still facing Walker, I drum my fingers on the back of the chair, memories flashing through my mind. Images from the Arena iconigration flicker through my consciousness. What happened that day—it must have been a test. I snap my fingers, then point at Walker. “Do you remember the iconigration? The pig demon Clementine opened a briefcase for Armageddon.”

“I remember,” says Walker. “It stopped the Scala’s carriers from opening a portal. I’d never seen anything like it before.”

Then, I said ‘Armageddon was up to something’ and you told me not to worry, Mr Smarty Pants. Not that I’ll point that out right now. Although I’m really-really-really tempted to.

I tap my knee with my pointer finger. “That was Armageddon’s way of testing a system for blocking Group Think, I’m certain of it.”

Verus wags her head from side to side. “That makes sense. Armageddon would need a way to stop ghouls from portaling in armies for a counter-attack. He’d never start this war without having thought that through. I’m afraid we’re locked in for the duration.”

I turn to Lincoln. I know this is a total long shot, but I have to ask. “How about the thrax back in Purgatory?”

The Prince frowns. “I had some top warriors here, but everyone was returning to Antrum today with transport ready to go. Once the fighting started, protocol requires an immediate evacuation. They’re all long gone, I’m afraid.”

That news shouldn’t make me so sad—after all, I knew it was a long shot—but suddenly the all-aloneness of our situation seems all too clear. It’s just the people in this bunker against Armageddon and his army.

Damn, this Scala job sucks.

Verus sighs. “Without ghoul transport, armies must cross no-man’s land to reach the Gates of Purgatory. That takes months. At the rate the demon army’s moving, this war will be over in hours.” She rubs her forehead. “Which is as Armageddon planned.”

The Oligarchy rise to their feet, their long crimson robes swaying. “We have one option remaining. Send the Scala to Hell. Draw Armageddon from our lands.” Their bony hands all point in my direction.