“He decided to introduce his face to the glass door, total zombie style.” Luke pulled a Glock out of the bag. “There was a shade in him. The moment he hit the ground outside, the shade came out and took off.”

Shit. “That’s not good.”

“Nope.” Aiden’s shoulders tensed. “I think it was scouting.”

“It?” whispered Gable. “That’s Mr. Nanni. He lives d-down the street.”

“He don’t live anywhere now,” Hercules responded. “That’s a dead Mr. Nanni.”

Aiden pivoted around, jaw tight as he pinned Hercules with a look. “Not helping.”

The demigod shrugged. “Whatever,” he muttered, cracking his knuckles.

There was a pause. “Nothing can get through that glass, right?” Gable asked. “It’s reinforced.”

“Reinforced glass didn’t mean shit,” I replied. “That won’t even stop a daimon.”

“W-What’s a daimon?” Gable asked.

“Quick and dirty explanation?” Deacon turned to him. “They used to be pures and halfs, and they became addicted to aether—that’s the substance inside of all of us that makes us who we are. Not good.”

His wild gaze flew back to the window. “Are there daimons outside now?”

Aiden laughed dryly. “If only we could be that lucky.”

Thunder cracked overhead, rattling the house, and yeah, that was a bad, bad sign. Especially when there was no lightning.

“And it doesn’t look like we’re going to get lucky,” Solos said with a sigh.

Gable looked up at the ceiling. “Is it going to storm?”

“Not the kind of storm California needs.” Alex flipped a dagger in her hand as she walked up to Aiden.

Kneeling by the bag, I pulled out a dagger and then a slender stake. I looked up. Josie stood there, hand out. My gaze connected with hers, and I looked away, jaw working. No doubt she was thinking about me. About what I’d done. I was no better than a fucking daimon. Just not as messy.

I handed her both of the weapons I held. “The slender one is dipped in Pegasus blood,” I reminded her.

She said nothing as she took the blade and then reached for the dagger. I held onto it, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“Are you ready to do this?” I asked. “There can be no hesitation. Something is coming, and whatever it is, we’re going to need to take it out. If you’re not ready, you need to hide.”

Her blue eyes darkened. “I’m ready.”

I hesitated for a moment and then let go. I grabbed the same weapons and then rose. Outside, the wind was picking up, and from the glass doors we could see the palm trees bending under the weight and force of the wind.

“What the hell is coming?” Deacon asked. “Storm?”

Luke laughed. “Again. As if we could get that lucky.”