“Dad,” I whispered, and then he was holding me, and I was sobbing, and Tad was there, and we just clung to each other. What was left of our family. For a moment I was a little girl again, and I could let my dad chase away the monsters from under my bed.

But now I was the monster, and I needed to stand up and fight for my family.

Dad patted my back and pushed me away gently. “I thought I overheard my name. I wanted to save you some trouble of coming all the way into Seattle.”

I sniffed and frowned. “What? I don’t understand.”

He shrugged. “An old warlock trick.”

My lips trembled. “I tried, Dad, I tried to save her.”

He put both hands on my face, cupping it. “I know, baby girl.” He drew in a big breath and nodded. “So you want me to start turning those who are sick?”

“Can you?” I was hoping.

“Yes. I’m rusty, but I can still do it. I’ll use my uncle’s place.” He winked at me. His uncle’s place. Merlin’s home.

He pointed at Yaya. “Flora, you can help. Send a couple of your priestesses over to Merlin’s.”

She nodded and turned away. I couldn’t help but notice that she’d not come to our tiny family group hug.

Tad clapped Dad on the shoulder. “I’ll get Jensen. He can help round people up and keep the line moving.”

Yaya came back into the room. “Alena, you are giving everyone else instructions; I assume you have something for me? Unless you distrust me that much?”

Another time I would have flinched at her words, but not anymore. “Gather the rest of your priestesses, like Dad asked, and any of the Super Dupers you can.” I glanced at Remo. “Call the SDMP and see if they will listen to you. See if they will help us stand against Hera and whomever she has under her thumb.”

They all nodded, and just like that, they headed out in various directions. I hurried upstairs to the bedroom, needing a moment to myself. My friends, my family, I was sending them away. I knew it was for the best, but it still was hard. Suddenly I could see their actions a little clearer. How many of them had separated themselves from me in order to keep me safe? Most of them, at one point or another.

And now I was doing the same thing. Some of the anger I’d been carrying faded with that insight. Sometimes we pushed those we loved away because it was best for them. Even when they didn’t want to be saved.

I sat on the bed and took a big breath. I leaned back and closed my eyes. A few minutes of quiet was all I wanted.

A soft knock on the door brought my head up, but I already knew it was Ernie by the fast staccato of his heartbeat.

“Come in.”

He opened the door and flew to sit beside me on the bed. Through the entire conversation downstairs he’d been rather quiet. Besides Remo he probably knew me the best.

“You’re sending them away to protect them.” He put a hand on my leg, and I nodded.

“I hate to ask, but I need something from you,” I whispered.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere but at your side, Drakaina.” His blue eyes teared up, and I had to look away.

“Hermes.”

The messenger zipped in through the open door. “What’s the message?”

I opened a drawer in the dresser by the bed and pulled out a pen and pad of paper. I scribbled a note and handed it to him. “For Hercules.”

The words were simple.

I’m going to try and stop the virus. I will meet you after that. Please don’t hurt my friends. I know you aren’t a bad guy. Don’t let Hera make you do things you know are wrong.

Hermes nodded and was gone in a flash.

“How do you want to do this?” Ernie asked.

A footstep at the door snapped my head up. Remo leaned on one side of the doorframe. “Yes, Alena. How do you want to do this?”

Dang it, I was hoping I would be able to get through this without him realizing what I was up to.

CHAPTER 13

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lifted my chin, and Remo stepped into the room in complete defiance of what I thought was my obvious look that said, Stay out.

“I know what you’re doing. They may not realize it, but you’re sending them away to keep them safe. I should know, I did it to you,” he said softly.

I kept my eyes on his. “And if I am? So what?”

“Why didn’t you give me something to do? I mean, other than to make a single phone call.”

He had a point. Then again, I had my own. “I knew that if anyone would guess, it would be you and Ernie.” I paused. “Am I going to be able to get rid of you?”

His lips twitched. “No, you aren’t.”

“Then you can drive me to the hospital.” I stood and went to the closet, searching for something that would be more suited to what I was going to do. Going into the underworld was no small task. I panned through until I found a pair of black jeans, knee-high black boots, and a black tank top. I took them and then glanced at Remo. “If you don’t mind.”

He grinned and waved a hand at me. “Not at all, you go right ahead. I’ll keep an eye on you.”

I blushed and pointed at the door. “Get out.”

He backed out, standing in the hallway, still looking in. “Done.”

The door remained open between us, and he grinned across the open space at me. I strode across the distance, grabbed the door, and slammed it in his face. Ernie snickered. “You have it so bad for him. You know he’s seen you naked a number of times with your shifting.”