Send him back to Earth. Tell him…. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man who looked like Dragos emerge from the hole. He grinned and clapped one of the rescuers on the shoulder, took a deep breath and squinted at the setting sun. Squinted. At the sun. A deep vibration started inside, like her bones were screaming. Tell him to bring back every sentinel he can as quickly as possible. Tell him to get Liam. And tell him to say to Aryal that she once swore she would destroy the shackles that Niniane’s uncle Urien made to imprison Dragos. Tiago will remember those all too well—that Dark Fae woman, whatever her name was, nearly destroyed him with those shackles. And Aryal promised to drop them in a volcano. Do you remember?

Hell, of course I do. We all do.

Aryal never does anything she’s supposed to. Pia’s lips felt numb. I hope to all the gods she didn’t do what she was supposed to do then, either. We need those shackles, Gray—as quick as a Djinn can get them here. I will pay a Djinn any favor they like. You tell Tiago that.

Graydon’s rough-hewn features turned deadly. I’m on it.

Another thrill of terror froze her muscles. Wipe that look off your face, damn it. Dragos is one of the oldest and most Powerful of the Elder Races—and that thing inhabiting his body took him down. So you smile like your life depends on it.

Even as she spoke, his expression eased into good-natured friendliness. Squeezing her fingers, he turned back to where Dragos appeared to be talking to the others. Graydon said, “Hell of a mess we’ve got here.”

The imposter turned to him and smiled. “Indeed, it is. I look forward to reshaping our future. But for the moment, I decree that everyone stay well away from these holes. The collapsed soil is too dangerous, and there is nothing below we need concern ourselves with for now.” He told the foreman, “Set a barrier here with guards.”

Beside him, Tiago frowned, and his eyes grew sharp, but no one else appeared to notice anything amiss. She wanted to scream at them. Dragos doesn’t talk that way!

Instead, she smiled at the imposter. “It’s been a difficult day. I suggest we throw off these setbacks and convene on the beach for a feast, and people can bring whatever they have to share.”

The imposter gestured and raised his voice. “My lady has an excellent idea! What say you to a feast?”

Several cheers went up. Smiling, the imposter strolled to Pia and gazed into her eyes. Fingering the ends of her hair, he murmured, “We will have wine and sweetmeats, and celebrate life, and later on I would celebrate alone with my wife in our bed.”