My hopes lifted.

“Wait. Does this mean we Neph have a couple safe days?” I asked.

He grunted. “Yes, but be careful. I’d say you have forty-eight hours starting tomorrow afternoon when they’re all traveling. Some will stay there longer than two days, but don’t take any chances. If you need to gather your allies or be in contact with them, this is your chance.”

“And I can see Patti!” I clapped my hands and smiled. This seemed to soften him a little.

“Yeah, you can see her. Give her my regards.”

I wished I could hug him, but all I could do was beam up at his frightening face, making him chuckle.

“And guess what else?” I said. “I got to meet Mariantha.” He became still in front of me. “She came to congratulate me on my marriage. She was beautiful, Daddy.”

He drifted back a little, weightless, whispering, “Yes . . . beautiful, and full of love. You’re so much like her, baby girl.”

I held up a hand, splaying my fingers, and he lifted his big, clawed mass of cloudy hand to mine, overlapping it.

“I love you, kid,” he said.

We shared a long, quiet pause.

“Be careful,” I told him. “Wherever you go, I hope I see you again soon.”

I closed my eyes as he surrounded me with a hug, and when I opened my eyes again he was gone.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MAKESHIFT HOLIDAY

It was three in the morning, Pharzuph was somewhere nearby terrorizing the campus, and I was devising a plan. The Dukes were meeting tomorrow night, so the Neph would have to meet, too.

The thought of seeing Kaidan again after our night together gave me tingles. We wouldn’t be alone this time, but being near him was all I needed.

I knew it was safe texting Kaidan since his father was “busy,” but my hands still shook with nerves. I didn’t want to reveal too much. Each message I sent and received, I deleted immediately.

Book a flight to Va tmrw.

With pleasure. U ok? It’s been insane here.

Insane? I wondered if he meant his father’s “death.”

Here too. Lots to tell.

Same.

I texted him Patti’s address and told him I was contacting the others. I knew I’d piqued his interest and concern, but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing anything else until the Dukes were all convened on the other side of the world.

Next I texted the twins, then Blake and Kope, telling them where and when to meet. Kope would bring Zania. Everyone was a go. I contemplated texting Jay and Patti, too, but that could wait until the morning.

I was so excited about seeing everyone, and nervous about Pharzuph being so close, that I was restless all night. I finally felt myself pulled under just as the sun was rising. A couple hours of solid sleep would have to hold me over.

When I emerged, groggy and craving coffee, I wished I was better at using my supernatural sense of hearing. I wanted to know if Pharzuph was gone, but when I attempted to scan the area, everything sounded like a jumble to me—too hard to discern. Other Neph were good at it, having trained for years.

After showering and dressing, I walked downtown to a busy coffee shop, keeping my eyes peeled. It was a hot morning, but pleasant compared to the oppressive humidity I was accustomed to. I’d just paid for my drink when everyone got quiet and broke into whispers.

The hair on the nape of my neck went up.

“Oh, my gawd . . .”

“Is he on the football team?”

I turned and bit down to lock my jaw as a tall, sexily disheveled Pharzuph sauntered up to me, flanked by a dark cloud of whisperers, knowing every eye was on him and clearly basking in the attention. His blond hair was damp and he had a light dusting of morning scruff. His critical eyes lessened his attractiveness, though I doubt anyone else picked up on it.

“And how was your first night of college?” he asked in a low voice, a partial lascivious grin showing.

“Successful, sir.” I gripped my coffee to keep from shaking. “And you?”

His grin grew. “One for the memory book. I’d stay another night if I didn’t have business to attend to. I’m almost jealous of you.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of his statement and glanced around at the myriad of eyes locked on him. I swear, the room seemed to sway with all the swooning and red auras popping up. The spirits dipped and glided among the people.

“It’s a great place,” I said lamely.

He looked back at me, disappointment flashing across his face as he remembered with whom he’d been conversing. He pushed past me to the counter and I stood aside. But once he had his giant coffee in hand, he left the shop without looking my way again. From my view I watched him making eyes at every girl along the way, and even a couple guys. Then they all turned to look at me. I exited quickly through the side door and went around the corner, watching as Pharzuph caught a cab, his procession of dark spirits flanking the vehicle as it drove him away.

Thank God.

I made the long walk to my car and sat inside, sipping my coffee and feeling oddly safe and content. In a few hours my six Neph allies would be making their way to town for one night. It could be our last chance to see one another before it was time to fulfill the prophecy. With the Dukes convening that night, our time was short. We’d have to act soon.

I wanted today to be special.

I smiled to myself and started the car. I knew what we were doing tonight.

Patti had no idea I was coming. When I got to her address, I almost rolled my eyes. Of course Dad couldn’t have picked out a low-key home. He’d put her up in a huge house on a golf course. It was seriously the only new neighborhood around, and it was smack in the middle of farm country. As I pulled into her driveway, I sent a text.