“You don’t have to thank me, Bennett. It was unfair of us to keep this a secret from you. We gave you a seat on the council, trusting you would keep your word and keep your kind in line, yet we didn’t afford you that same trust. For that, I am truly sorry.”

Max stepped back as the car crept past him and parked a few feet away. “Yes, well, after nearly twelve years of arguing with you about this, I’ve finally concluded there’s no point in wasting my breath on a fight I cannot win,” Max said, clearing his throat. “So, I suppose I should at least meet this imitation guardian of yours. Care to make the introductions?”

“I would love to,” Bennett said, the glow on her face second only to that of the moon.

Bennett walked to the car, the glass in the driver’s door disappearing into the panel as she approached. Bending down, she saw a wide-eyed Gus gaping back at her.

“Bennett, I’m sorry. I…I thought he waved me over,” Gus said, lowering his eyes. “I…I didn’t mean to—”

“Relax, Gus. Max would like to meet you.”

“Really?” Gus croaked.

“Get out of the car,” Bennett said, opening the door. “I’ll introduce you.”

Max’s intent was simple. He was going to make sure this mortal knew his place, and having existed for over five hundred years, Max had long ago mastered the art of looking menacing. He shifted his stance, raised his chin, and calling on his other self, his eyes blazed blue. Then, six-foot-eight Gus climbed out of the car, and Max sucked in his cheeks. His strength far outweighed that of any human, so Max wasn’t afraid of the mortal walking toward him. He was, however, amused. Leave it to Bennett to find a mortal who could intimidate without even trying.

Nearly a foot taller than Max, as Gus came to a stop in front of him, Max had to raise his chin a little bit more.

“Gus,” Bennett said quietly. “It’s my pleasure to introduce to you Maximillian Lumley. Max, this is Gus Rooney. As you know—”

“I know enough,” Max said, stepping closer to invade Gus’s personal space. “This woman is extremely important to me, and—”

“She’s important to me t—” Gus’s mouth snapped closed like a mousetrap when he saw Max hold up two fingers. Offering an apologetic grin, Gus clamped his lips together.

“As I was saying,” Max said softly. “Bennett is extremely important to me. Since she insists on keeping you as a guardian, I need you to understand just how grave it would be if anything ever happened to her under your watch.”

Gus’s gulp was audible, but he didn’t say a word.

“Do you have a phone?” Max said, taking a half-step backward.

“Uh…yeah,” Gus said, fumbling to get his cell out of his pocket.