“They end up together and they’re still running the Charlotte Inn.”

“Good to know in case things don’t improve.”

“Which is what I wanted to talk to you about. That and something else. So I take it things are still off for you? Have you been able to communicate with your world at all?”

“No. I’ve tried all avenues of communication, but everything is blocked. I finally got a message from Zeus that said simply to wait.”

“Wait? On what?”

Alexios shook his head, clearly frustrated. “I have no idea. On the one hand, I’m happy that he responded at all. It means he’s still up there and handling things. But that one word didn’t tell me anything. Not about what is happening there or what could happen here.”

“Do you think he’s getting your messages and just can’t risk answering?”

“I’m certain. But I hate being in the dark. It’s unsettling.”

Marina nodded. Unsettling was putting things lightly. If Zeus lost control of the other world, would having the ring make a difference? Or would all of humanity end up doing laundry for an invading species? Marina had just finished a twenty-eight-year stint waiting on other people. She’d been looking forward to wrinkled clothes and leaving dog hair on the floor for more than a day.

“Well, I’m afraid I have more unsettling things to discuss,” she said and told Alexios about her stalker.

He listened intently, frowning the entire time, and sat silently when she was finished.

“Do you think someone from the invading world could be watching me?” she finally asked.

He slowly shook his head. “I can’t say it’s a certain no, but it doesn’t seem likely. It’s not easy to transport between worlds. It’s what keeps them safe. And if our enemy had figured out how to access Earth, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It’s like your famous scientist Stephen Hawking said—that an advanced civilization arriving never turns out well for the lesser one.”

“I see. So you don’t think this creep has anything to do with the ring?”

“I didn’t say that. In fact, I think it’s highly likely that he does.”

“But how or who?”

“Remember I told you that Drakos had aligned himself with a small faction in our world that aligned with the invaders to overturn Zeus. My guess is it’s one of our own who is here watching.”

“Am I in danger?”

“I don’t think so. I’m sure he’s hoping you’ll find the ring and will attempt to steal it before I can get it back to my world. Then they can use the power to overthrow Zeus.”

“Oh. If I find the ring and he realizes it before you get here to collect, will he kill me?”

“I can’t imagine why he would. You’re no threat to our world.”

“I’m no threat to this world unless I eat too much garlic.”

“Yes, well, if only our world were being attacked by vampires, I’d take you back with me.”