"I call it a poor excuse to drag my ass out of bed before sunset." The voice moved closer with a jingling of chains. "But yeah, no problem."

The body that went with the voice passed Max, insinuating himself between the Oracle and his intended victim. He was stocky, his brown hair shaved from the sides of his head in what would have been a Mohawk if it weren't so long. "So, give me a stake."

The vampire guard threw him one, and he caught it before it could pierce his chest. "Nice one, lady. Thanks."

Then he turned.

It was the kid. Nathan's dead son.

It was Ziggy.

Chapter Twenty-Four
Ashes to Ashes

Everyone always says, "You should see the look on your face," or, "I wish I'd had a camera." Both of those statements went through my mind as the Soul Eater laid eyes on his formerly dead son.

Cyrus strolled into the room like he still owned the place, head held high. "Surprised to see me?"

Nathan followed close behind him. His steely expression softened with relief when he saw me, but the emotionless mask snapped quickly back into place. "It's a dysfunctional family reunion."

"She told me you were dead." Jacob's right arm flailed, reaching for something to brace himself on. He seemed a tad more flappable than you'd expect someone to if he walked around calling himself the Soul Eater.

And Cyrus fed off his father's shock like a fire sucking up oxygen. I knew Cyrus well enough to know this was the first time he'd been in this position. "She tried, She failed. But what I want to know is, why did you send her to do it?"

"I didn't!" The Soul Eater backed up as Cyrus advanced on him.

Before Jacob could call for the guards, Nathan grabbed the overturned couch and flung it at the doors. They slammed closed under the weight, and the sofa fell neatly to the floor, effectively barring anyone from entering. The guards would be strong, but they were still just humans. The Soul Eater's taste in furniture ran to heavy, expensive pieces. If anyone came sniffing around, the sofa would at least buy us time.

"We don't need any extra company," Nathan said coldly, advancing on his sire.

"Get back, Nolen!" Cyrus commanded, stopping him in his tracks. "This is my fight and mine alone."

I felt the conflict in Nathan. He wanted to honor Cyrus's wishes—it was his father about to be killed, after all—but he was driven by his desire to avenge his wife. To avenge himself.

It's okay. I waited until he looked at me, and put out my hand. He came to stand at my side.

There were tears in his eyes. It's really going to be over.