Nick would definitely take those odds that Caleb was currently the main course of a Memitim hoedown feast. But he hesitated to go after Caleb, even to protect him, and leave his mother alone again. Unlike Caleb, his mother wasn’t a warrior demon. She was human. Completely defenseless in their world.

Could this be another trap?

Kody gently nudged him toward Xev. “Go. Protect Caleb. You know I’d die before I let anyone take your mother. I’ll call Simi and get her here. Nothing will get through the two of us. You know that. We are the epitome of the immovable object and unstoppable force in one team.”

Only then did he relax and incline his head to her. “You’re the best.”

“Remember that the next time I annoy you and you want to break up with me.”

Laughing, he gave her a quick kiss before he and Xev flashed to Caleb’s antebellum mansion.

In the elegant black-and-white marble foyer, they could hear the storm outside, slamming against the windows. Everything was dark and creepy as lightning flashed and crows cawed. Shattered glass and puddles of water littered the floor. The decapitated head of a stone angel statue lay near the wall where it must have landed after being flung through one of the shattered windows and shutters. Its soulless eyes stared at Nick as if accusing him of not being here for the fight.

Where the heck was everyone? It was so incredibly sinister and quiet. He couldn’t detect a single living soul inside the house.

Terrified they were too late, Nick took the stairs two at a time until he was inside Caleb’s bedroom. Frowning in sudden confusion, he froze at the doorway and took in the peculiar scene.

Caleb was awake and on his feet. Weak, pale, and shaking, he stood in the corner, holding his ancient demonic battle sword with Livia in front of him. They were alone in the room with the crows dive-bombing the windows, trying to break in, and Caleb egging them on with every bit of stupid bravado only a demon on the verge of collapse could pull off and still sound badass while doing it.

“Thank the gods it’s you,” Livia said between her ragged breaths. “I thought the Memitim had finally broken through his protection spells. I’ve been so terrified of what we would do if that happened! Oh, Nick! Once again, you’re my hero!”

Xev scowled in distaste of her melodramatic praise as he glanced around the walls that were alight with the ancient oils and symbols Caleb had used to seal off his property from his enemies.

Snarling, Caleb angled his sword at Xev. “What’s he doing here?” His disgusted tone likened Xev to the fecal matter of a dung beetle’s tick.

“He came with me to make sure you were all right.”