“Didn’t you say earlier that you’d all choose? Can’t go back on your word now. Like I said, honesty is very important to me.”

“Five hundred years,” Cade said.

The girl looked up at him, startled.

“Do the deal right now. Everyone goes home. I stay with the Romans.”

The girl furrowed her brow. “Love does make humans do crazy things,” she said. “But I’m sorry, Cade. I’ve made up my mind.”

She dropped delicately off the plane, then paused and clicked her fingers.

A device appeared in her hand. It was a simple thing, a dial beneath a calculator-like screen, and a large button at the top.

“Tick up the dial. It goes up in five-minute intervals. When you want to set it, press the button,” Abaddon said. “Simple enough. I assume you might need it, since you’re going to be staying. Like I said. I always keep my promises.”

She pressed it into Cade’s hands, then pranced away, heading for the others. By now Grace had returned, and she was scowling at Cade from across the fire. It was a shame that she would never know what Cade was about to do.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I do believe Cade and I have made a deal,” Abaddon’s avatar announced, clapping her dainty hands. “Cade and the Romans are staying, except for you of course, darling Quintus. That’s bought Earth one thousand years of safety. For every one of you who stays with him, that’s another five centuries on top. So, Grace and Trix are going home … who else?”

When no one moved or spoke, she tapped a tiny foot, her arms crossed.

“Hurry now,” she said. “I may be immortal but I’ve got better things to do.”

Grace raised her hand, as if somehow Abaddon would forget she wanted to go home. Cade hardly blamed her. He might have made the same choice in her shoes.

Scott was the next to raise his hand. He looked at Cade apologetically, mouthing sorry. Cade simply inclined his head and smiled. This was what he wanted.

“Everyone is going, Abaddon,” Cade called out. “Just—”

“Not one more word!” Abaddon snarled, turning the little girl’s face toward Cade in a rictus of rage. “Be silent, or there will be no deal at all.”

Cade held up his hands in peace but raised his eyebrows at the others. He wanted to beg them to go. Because there was no need for them to stay. The moment they were gone, Cade was going to press the button … and end the pantheon for good.

“Is that all, then?” Abaddon said, turning back to the others.

“No!” Bea said, raising her hand. She grasped Trix’s too, lifting it above the girl’s head. Yoshi followed suit, avoiding Cade’s eyes.

“Anyone else? Going, going…”

“Amber, you have to—” Cade begged, but was suddenly cut short.

His mouth had been seized by an invisible force, keeping it clamped closed.

He was not the only one who went silent. Quintus and Amber said nothing. Only stared into the flames, ignoring Abaddon’s words.