Everyone turned to me, seeming a bit startled by the outburst. “And here I thought we were partners,” mused Roman.

“Bind him,” said Carter. “Bind him in a deal.”

Jerome and Roman sized each other up, and I held my breath. An immortal deal reached a creature’s soul and could not be broken without dire consequences. I’d made a couple in my life. Everything rested on Jerome now, whether he was willing to go against every immortal taboo and knowingly let a nephilim live in his territory.

Finally, Jerome spoke. “I will allow you to live in my domain. During such time, I will not harm you—unless you’re discovered by others and I am given no choice. I make no guarantees about other immortals who find you and offer no protection should that occur. You in turn vow not to implicate me in any way for doing this. You promise not to harm me or any other immortals who cross into my territory, unless it’s self-defense—or unless I’ve given my okay. You also promise to harm none of my subordinates”—he glanced at me—“anywhere in the world.”

“I accept,” said Roman gravely.

“And,” added Jerome, a sharp glint in his eyes, “you vow to be available should I require your services in a defensive, covert, or—in very rare conditions—offensive way.”

There it was. The reason Jerome could go along with something like this. In offering Roman sanctuary, he was bargaining to have a secret nephilim agent, a powerful weapon none of his enemies knew about it. I’d never heard of anything like this.

“I accept with the condition that I won’t kill on your command,” Roman said at last.

Jerome considered. “Agreed. The terms of this deal end should you at any time openly renounce my amnesty. Or if I also declare the deal null and void.”

“I want a time frame on that,” said Roman wryly. “When does my lease expire?”

“A century. Then we’ll renegotiate.”

“I accept it all, then.”

“And I agree to the same amnesty terms as Jerome,” piped in Carter. “Except I don’t need you to spy or kill for me.”

“Agreed,” said Roman.

It was all so terribly formal, and my presence felt complete superfluous. All three of them shook hands, and as they did, power burned in the air, binding them all to what they’d agreed.

“Well,” said Jerome briskly. “Now that that’s done, I’m going back to clean up the mess that’s been made in my absence.” He gave Roman a wry look. “Considering you aren’t technically in my territory yet, I’d advise you—” Jerome suddenly stopped and scanned the beach. “What about the other summoner? The human one? Was he here?”

I looked around as well. The beach was empty. “It was Dante . . .” I said slowly.

Jerome rolled his eyes. “Typical. Where is he now?”