I sighed. As much as I wanted them to kill each other, I knew that wouldn’t solve all my problems. I cleared my throat. “As entertaining as your petty sibling rivalry may be, perhaps we can save the bickering for when the sun rises and we have nothing better to do with our time.”

The Prince cracked his knuckles and glared at Sweyn before turning and stomping toward me, heading straight for the thriving city of Seattle. His black magic was already coiling in his palms. He stopped a few feet away, right at the edge of the closed, empty market and released his magic into the streets like rushing rivers.

“What are you doing?” Sweyn hissed.

“Get your fangs ready, Sister,” he snarled back, pushing more and more magic out of him. “Since that seems to be all you’re good for.”

Braison’s wide eyes met mine, but I did not react. I couldn’t. They could see.

The Prince chanted in the Unseelie tongue with words I did not understand. But I didn’t need the translation to understand what he was doing. I felt Mother’s magic in his words. It seemed she’d taught him a trick, or perhaps he’d siphoned it off someone else at some point.

Within seconds, three adults emerged from nearby buildings. Their eyes were glazed over and distant, but each of them held a wand between their fingers. Magic sparkled from the tips of their wands as they marched toward us like zombies in a bad horror film.

“Everest,” Braison whispered. He gripped the wall and bent over.

I nodded and gripped his shoulder, forcing him upright. “Braison and I will coordinate our return to Avolire.”

Without another word, I dragged Braison out the backside of the market where the salt water from the ocean beneath us could clear his nausea. Malik and Pierce stumbled out after us, with Shi-Shi hot on their heels. I flexed my fingers and pulled with my own magic. A second later, Sam and Libby leapt through my shadow to stand at my feet.

Sam’s eyes were wide. “Is he . . . is he⁠—”

“Yes,” Libby said with a growl, balling her hands into fists at her side. “He’s luring witches out. We have to stop him.”

"How? How are we supposed to overpower him?” Sam breathed, her eyes still wide.

Braison bent over and put his hands on his knees. “Libby, tell me you have an idea.”

“I do. You and Sam come with me.” Libby turned those silver eyes on me. “I know you can’t actively help, but⁠—”

“I’ll do what I can from here.” I gestured for them to move. “We’ll cover you.”

The three of them took off running.

“Lord Everest . . .” Pierce’s voice trembled. “What are they doing? What do we do?”