Mom loads her coffee cup with cream and sugar. “I’ve known the angel Verus since before the Wars. She and I discussed this. You can attend.”

“Oh, I see.” If Mom says I can go, this must be totally boring. I eat my Frankenberry cereal one sugar puff at a time. It’s like my last meal before hitting the guillotine.

Walker hovers by my shoulder. “We must depart now, Myla.”

Anger burns through my belly. “If you gave me a little notice before these Arena visits, I’d be ready faster.”

Walker shares a sly look with my mother. “You never complained before.”

“Well, I’m complaining now.”

Mom turns another page in her magazine. “Just because you’re not fighting evildoers this morning doesn’t mean you can be grouchy with Walker.”

Ugh. I hate it when she’s right. “Sorry, Walker.”

“You’re forgiven.”

I swallow my last bite of cereal. “Okay, let’s hit it.”

Walker opens a portal in the center of the kitchen.

Mom blows me a kiss. “Have fun, sweetie!”

“I’ll try.” I give her a halfhearted wave. “See you after school.”

Taking Walker’s hand in mine, I steel my shoulders and step through the dark door. We tumble through space for what feels like hours. I almost puke at least twice before stepping onto the Arena’s dirt floor.

Around me stand a dozen quasis. Men and women, black and white, young and old…This group could not be more different, except for one thing: they all have long pointed tails like mine.

They’re all part-furor. Fighters like me. I can’t help but size up the other warriors. I could take anyone of these folks down, easily. And although most of them have fighting suits, none are as dragon-scale badass as mine.

Hey, it’s not a competition, but I’m winning.

Sharkie does his emcee-thing. The Oligarchy, angels, and demons all take their places in the Arena. An eternity ticks by while I stand near the other fighters. I pass the time playing rock-paper-scissors with my tail. My stomach growls. I must be missing lunch.

THUD. THUD. Sharkie sets his staff against the ground. “Angels, demons, and ghouls! We’ve a special announcement today from the fearless leader of our troops, Armageddon!”

The demon seats go ballistic. The angels clap politely.

Armageddon stands from his stone throne, his long black face twisting into an especially evil-looking grin. “We have found the Scala Heir.” His eyes glow with menace. “As promised.”

Verus takes to her feet. “Excellent. If this is indeed the Scala Heir, then we should be able to perform the Scala Initiation ceremony right now.”

Armageddon slowly reseats himself into his throne. “Of course.”

Verus points to our group of fighters. “Please line up along the base of the Arena wall. You’re witnesses to the changing.”