Bentley nodded but his gaze was far away. “They know we need them and will be here when they’re allowed to be. They’re quite aware of what those words are.”

Tegan nodded and closed the Book of Shadows, then she turned and sat it in Emersyn’s lap, pressing her twin’s hand to it. Rainbow magic swirled around their hands and the book. “Show Deacon everything he needs to know about The Devil Card.”

Deacon paled.

“The Devil marks the start.” Tegan shook her head and backed away. “That was the line in the prophecy we got after your initiation. I’ve been stuck on that line since that night. She was warning us. Your arrival, your Mark, set things in motion. Libby had to fall—for reasons we’re going to learn more about—in order for you to claim your role. These lines mean this is your destiny, and therefore, I need you to know all the things I’ve read about your Mark so you can be the very most lethal version of yourself.”

Emersyn made a face. “But . . .”

“For now, he should be able to flip through. Might need your help, Em. We don’t have time to wait for him to be here in his corporeal form. But the sooner you are, the better.”

Deacon nodded. “I’m on it, boss lady.”

Tegan pointed across the room. “Savannah, if that rune of yours can help him out, do it.”

Savannah nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Tenn lifted his head off his father’s shoulder and looked to her. “If it’s black magic, then let me and Tegan know first before you do it.”

Savannah grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

Tegan tapped on her chin. “With this Mark and the heirs unfrozen, the Court will claim their promotion. The Mark part is Deacon but the heirs unfrozen are obviously Tenn and Bettina. Haven and Hope. They are Michael’s heirs and their power was unfrozen⁠—”

“We need her actually up and moving then!” Jackson snapped, then held his hands up. “Sorry, sorry. I’m fine.”

Tenn looked sick but he walked over and squeezed Jackson’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be fine, Lancaster. You just have to be here, okay? You’re allowed to break. There’s enough of us here to catch the pieces. Okay?”

Jackson buried his face in his hands and nodded.

I knew Jackson was struggling over his soulmate being unconscious and very injured, we all knew that, but it didn’t mean we needed to stare at him while he was falling apart, so I cleared my throat and raised my hand to get everyone’s attention. “What are you about to do, Tegan? That line on Bentley’s arm talks about knowledge, so she’s telling us to do research, yet you gave the Book to Deacon. You’re doing something.”

Everyone looked back and forth between me and Tegan.