“Hey.” Ava punched his arm. “My father is three-quarters angelic, and he’s not violent or scary. Irresponsible and unstable, yes. But he’s never hurt anyone but himself. And did they seriously read shit like that to you when you were kids?” She looked horrified. “I mean, that’s just wrong.”

Orsala patted Ava’s hand. “It is a story. It’s intended to frighten. And I think in this case it’s intended to frighten young Irina away from ever being seduced by one of the Fallen. It’s a taboo in our race for a reason.”

“And no Irina has ever mated with a Fallen?” Ava asked.

Malachi and Orsala both shuddered.

“No,” he said. “I can’t even imagine the most rebellious Irina doing something so dangerous. We are taught to run screaming from the Fallen from the time we can walk.”

“With stories about monster-babies, I’m not surprised. According to Jaron, it’s never happened to one of the kareshta either. Just my grandmother.”

“The Fallen are possessive of their offspring. Not loving, of course. But proprietary. For one of them to violate Jaron’s child would be considered an aggressive act in any case. I’m guessing that for Volund to not only violate Jaron’s daughter but then mark her as his own would be an act of war. He essentially stole her and tied her to himself.”

“She dream-walks with him.”

Orsala was at a loss for words for a moment. “That is… a torture I cannot imagine. And Jaron can do nothing to shield her?”

“When he’s physically present with her, she’s safe. Other than that? Volund can touch her mind any time she sleeps.”

“Can Volund reach you?”

“Yes,” Malachi said, “but not when Jaron is shielding her. And as far as we know, he’s never lifted his protection.”

“No…” Orsala’s eyes went blurry. “He won’t, of course. Not until he’s ready.”

“Orsala?”

She blinked and her eyes widened. “Jaron wants Volund.”

“Of course.” Malachi and Ava exchanged looks. “We’ve already told you—”

“Jaron wants Volund,” she said again, rising to her feet and starting to pace. “He doesn’t care about our war with the Fallen. He is at war with Volund. But Jaron’s forces are depleted. According to rumors, his children are few. Jaron may be more powerful than Volund personally, but his army is not.”

Ava frowned. “Yes, but what—”

“Malachi,” Orsala said, spinning around. “In a battle, what is the most important step you can take to ensure victory before the fighting even starts?”

“Claim your ground,” he answered immediately. “The combatant with a greater position can defeat an enemy more powerful than himself if he picks the right location.” Malachi stood when the realization hit. “He’s using Ava as bait.”

“Jaron has picked his location,” Orsala said, staring at Ava. “His and Volund’s only blood tie is mated to an Irin scribe and currently residing in the most Irin-powerful city in the world. She’s part of us now. A Grigori female mated within our race. Jaron knows we will fight for her.”

The soldier in Malachi saw the brilliance of Jaron’s move immediately.

“He’s shielding Ava as he gathers his allies. And when he’s ready…”

Ava’s face was pale. “He’s using me as bait to draw Volund here so the Irin will be forced to protect me and kill his enemy.”

He could see the wheels begin to turn in her head.

Malachi said, “Don’t even think about it.”

She looked away from him.

“You’re not leaving,” he said. “That’s not even an option, Ava.”

Ava glared at him. “I’m putting an entire city at risk. It’s stupid for me to stay.”

“Where would you go that Volund and Jaron could not find you?” Orsala asked. “At least here we can protect you.”

“And risk a battle in the middle of a major metropolitan area?”

Orsala frowned. “He will have thought of that. The Fallen have no desire to attract attention. In any case, Jaron’s goals align with our own. Volund needs to die. He masterminded the Rending. He raped your grandmother. He has targeted females of both races for centuries. This is a battle we must fight.”

“I agree, but I don’t think the entire city of Vienna needs to be part of the carnage.”

“So what are you going to do?” Malachi asked. “Run away?”

“Why should I stick around to be a pawn in their game?”

“Jaron is a powerful ally,” Orsala said. “We’ve never worked with one of the Fallen before. Nor have they attempted to work with us. And yet it appears he wishes to do so. We should not dismiss him. Whatever plan he has will work to our advantage. If you leave, that could complicate things.”

“And might possibly save thousands of lives,” Ava said. “I should be in the middle of nowhere, where no one else can get hurt.”

Malachi blurted out, “If you stay without arguing, I’ll let you complete the mating ritual.”

Ava’s jaw dropped. “Unbelievable.”

Without another word, she turned and left the room.

Malachi turned to Orsala. She was shaking her head. Her eyes pressed closed. His mother’s mental voice had started to lecture him again.