“Ah,” I said, as if I understood. But I didn’t. Lulu wasn’t much of a reader.

“I’ll take over here,” I said. “He needs you tonight. He needs Pack.”

Alexei nodded and rose and put the toy on a console table in the hallway. Eleanor of Aquitaine sat down obediently, waited for him to reengage. Seeing good behavior from her was just . . . spooky.

Alexei looked at me. “Don’t worry about him.”

I gave him a half smile. “I have to. It’s my job now.”

He nodded, smiled back. “That’s why he loves you. But worry isn’t going to change anything. Not where a challenge is concerned.”

“What’s all the—” Lulu stepped into the hallway, a book in hand, open like she was going to show a page to Alexei. “Oh,” she said. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

“Alexei told me about the challenge.”

“Yeah,” I said, toeing off my shoes. “It’s been a night.”

She nodded, and we all looked at each other awkwardly for a minute.

“I’ll get going,” Alexei said. He nodded at her, then offered me a wave and left us alone in more awkward silence.

“Hi,” I said again.

“Hi.” Then she turned and went back into the living room.

I followed her, noticed the stack of books on the coffee table that she became very busy gathering up. I moved closer, glancing at the stack. They were all books about demons and demonology.

“What are you doing?” I asked, looking up at her.

“Researching,” she said, and cleared her throat. “My parents can’t. Librarian and Paige can’t. There’s no one else. So I’m doing what I can to help.”

She cleared her throat. “I know the timing is bad, but with me fireballing you and all, and the odds things are going to get worse . . .”

I nodded, sat down on the couch. There was fear in her eyes, and I braced myself for what was coming next. And felt guilty that I had no intention of spilling my own secrets.

“I’m tired, Elisa. I’m tired of lying.”

“Okay,” I said.

She blew out a breath. “Here goes. The thing is—I don’t avoid magic because I’m embarrassed by my mother or because she did dark magic.”

“Oh” was all I could think to say, as that was the last thing I’d expected to hear from her. “Okay. So why do you?”

“Because dark magic is the only kind I can do. And I’m really, really good at it.”

SEVENTEEN

I’m not entirely sure what I thought she’d say. But it certainly wasn’t that.

I stared at her for a full minute, trying to think how to respond. “First of all,” I said, “I love you. So let’s just establish that and get it out of the way.” That had her tears already welling. “Second, what the hell, Lulu?”

“I know.” She pulled a pillow over her face, hiding it. “I know. I should have told you.”

“I mean, yes? How long have you known this?”