The room is empty.

‘So? Where is he?’

‘I … I don’t know. He was supposed to meet me here this evening.’

‘Anyone at the front desk ever meet this uncle of yours?’

‘No. I paid for the room. His English isn’t too good.’

Colson searches the chest of drawers. Looks under the bed. Checks the bathroom. Finds nothing.

‘Looks like he took off on you. What was his relationship with your grandfather?’

‘I … I don’t know? But if you’re thinking … Detective, I’m sure he’ll be back soon. Please don’t jump to any conclusions.’

‘Here’s my card. I want you to wait here and call me the moment he comes back. Meanwhile, I’m going to contact someone from Family Services. If your uncle doesn’t show up by tonight, you’ll go with them.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Colson leaves. Lilith locks the door behind him.

‘Bastard.’

She spins around, shocked to find Don Rafelo lying spread-eagle on the bed.

‘Don’t worry, I put the evil eye on him.’

‘Where were you? How did you get …’ The sudden realization shocks her, dropping her to her knees. ‘No … you’re … you’re not real, are you?’

His smile reveals diseased gums. ‘Of course I’m real. Thoughts are real, aren’t they?’

‘But—’

‘The power of the Succubus is real.’

‘But you’re just in my mind. You’re not really here. Not in the physical sense.’

He sits up and leans in close, and she can smell his foul old man’s breath. ‘Real is what the mind can conceive and believe. Thoughts are things. Your thought energy is as real as mine.’

Lilith swoons. ‘Those boys you killed—’

‘You mean, the ones you killed. And the old woman.’

‘And Quenton?’

‘Of course. I instructed you, gave you confidence, but it was you who did the deed. And now there’s more to be done, before we travel to Mexico.’

‘Jacob?’

Don Rafelo nods. ‘He’ll be in Washington for the memorial service. Security will be tight, but he’ll be out in the open, where we can reach him through the nexus.’

‘He doesn’t want to see me anymore.’

‘Jacob’s value is in his seed. Your union will be the first of two nearly pure Hunahpu. Your child, Lilith, shall be a god.’

West Potomac Park, Washington, DC November 7, 2027

Towering 555 feet high, the alabaster marble obelisk known as the Washington Monument is located at the east end of Potomac Park, approximately one mile west of the Capitol Building. At the very top of this hollow structure is an observation room, affording visitors a magnificent view of the park’s reflecting pool, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the 9-11 wall, the Middle East War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.