Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Knock, knock.

Sethios set the mug down and sauntered into his condo’s foyer.

“Father,” he greeted as he opened the door. “This is a surprise.” The latter was directed at the two Ichorian minions in the hallway. Their names escaped him. Not that it mattered. They were inconsequential anyway.

“Is it?” his father asked. His gaze searched the condo over Sethios’s shoulder, almost as though he could feel Ezekiel’s energy. He might. If he did, he would hopefully chalk it up to an old essence. Their close friendship wasn’t a secret.

Sethios shrugged and moved into the kitchen to retrieve his coffee. It served as both a distraction and a way to be closer to his escape route, should he need her.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Sethios asked, his features schooled into a facade of indifference.

His father eyed Caro with interest, as did the two minions behind him. “Is this the woman from last night?”

“Yes.”

“She’s still alive.” Not a question, but a statement shrouded in surprise.

Sethios lifted a shoulder. “She amuses me. For now.” A truth that didn’t require explanation. “I know how much you loathe this city. Why are you here?”

“Direct as always.” His father’s gaze hadn’t left Caro. “Allow her to speak.”

“You wish for her to scream?” Sethios grinned. “It is a beautiful sound, but I’d prefer to finish my coffee first.”

“It wasn’t a request.”

No. It most definitely wasn’t.

“Tell me why you’re here,” Sethios said instead, setting the coffee down. “It’s not for her.”

“Do I require a reason to visit my only progeny?”

“Yes.”

His father finally shifted his gaze away from Caro and nailed him with a look. “You’re hiding something.”

“Always.” No point in denying that. “But that’s not why you’re here.”

“No.” His father stepped closer, his attention returning to Caro. “There is something familiar about you.”

She didn’t speak, move, or even blink.

Good, angel.

“Because you already met her,” Sethios reminded, feigning boredom. “Stop showboating and tell me why you’re here.”

“Skye had a vision this morning—a disturbing one. But you already know that, don’t you?” Ancient green eyes flashed his way. “I can sense Ezekiel’s recent presence. We’ll be discussing it later.”

Sethios’s brow furrowed. “Ezekiel’s presence is a permanent fixture in my condo, Father. Unlike yours. Now, what vision did your precious toy foresee that has you acting all out of sorts?”

“Disarm,” his father demanded instead. “Now.”

So that’s how we’re going to play this.

“I see.” Having no choice, Sethios set Caro’s knives on the counter. “Those were to be used on her, in case you were wondering.”

“Kneel” was the next command.

Right. There would be no debate or discussion, then—just a swift reaction to a potential future.

“Given your behavior, I’m guessing this prophecy paints me—your son—as some sort of threat.” He spoke the words while falling to his knees under the persuasion. “And we are not going to discuss it formally.”