The vampires watching over me drop off my magical radar one by one as the sun rises, and I eventually drift to a stop on an unfamiliar street corner, a cold breeze chilling my sweaty face. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions, turned to all the wrong people for help, and the only plan I’ve got now is to swindle my way into an empty apartment and hide. Even if I can somehow Mission: Impossible my parents out of Rasputin’s clutches with nothing but Gunnar’s assistance, I’m still going to die anyway.

Panicked adrenaline scours my nerves, my head spinning with mortal terror. I don’t want to go, I’m not ready—and of all the bad decisions I’ve made, the worst one is still waiting. The only group I haven’t turned to yet is the one I trust the least and fear the most, but also the only one that might be able to beat the Corrupter.

If that’s what they want.

When Azazel Ascends, everything on Earth will change—and every choice I make now will affect whoever’s left when the dust settles. I can’t afford to be reckless … but I can’t afford to play it safe, either, when the actual destruction of the world is on the line. I’ve got my phone in my hand, just about to make a call, when I hear a voice behind me. “The answer is yes.”

Whirling around, my heart bursting like a confetti cannon, I blink frightened stars from my eyes until I recognize the speaker. Sitting in a car that’s been parked at the curb this whole time, she gives me an awkward smile, and I blink a few more times. “Hope?”

“Hi, Auggie.” Despite the circumstances, Hope Cheng does not look at all surprised to find me on this random corner at 7:00 a.m. on a Monday. Indicating my phone, she says, “You don’t have to call—they’re willing to see you. In fact, they’re, um … kind of waiting for you right now. I’m supposed to drive you, if that’s okay.”

“You’re supposed to drive me,” I repeat, my fingers slippery and cold. The sun is up now, so she’s definitely not a vampire. At least there’s that. “To … where, exactly?”

“A meeting with the coven that supposedly cast out Azazel back in the Bronze Age. Or … something.” She shrugs apologetically. “That’s what you were going to call Ximena about, right?” She gives me a beat to answer, but I can’t, and she goes on, “They want to see you, too. Also, you should probably get in the car quick, because I guess things are supposed to get really messy today in Fulton Heights if we don’t leave on schedule.”