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Tabitha shuffled in a little closer. At some point, Elvira had moved across the room and now stood next to her medium. “Then Verona knowing about the eggs is not adventitious.”

“You are unfortunately correct,” Lazarus answered.

Jima’s eyes were fixed on the wyvern eggs. I knew the moment he figured out the rest of the story. “And those eggs? What happened to them?”

When Lazarus’s gaze fell on the eggs on the table, Jima let loose a sad whine. “They disappeared. Verona swore she didn’t know what happened to them. Most assumed that in Verona’s desperate mental state, she’d unintentionally harmed them as well. But now…now I know different.”

“Goddess,” Jima reverently whispered. “To think those are the missing eggs.”

Lazarus gave a faint nod. “It is a welcome truth.”

“And now she wants them back,” I whispered, uncertain the words were truly spoken aloud until Tabitha answered, “It would appear so.”

Flopping down into a nearby chair, Jima placed his elbows on his knees, cradling his chin in his hands. “So, how screwed are we?”

Lazarus snarled, “I will not allow Verona to touch those eggs.” He pointed a taloned finger at the eggs for emphasis. “They were never hers, and they shall not be hers now. One does not get to profit from the murder of another, especially when that individual was responsible for that heinous act. While it is tragic that Verona cannot birth viable eggs, that does not condone murder and kidnapping.”

I couldn’t agree more. Still, we had an obvious problem on our hands. “How soon will she get here?” My question was answered when the room vibrated, as if the ground above had been hit by a heavy weight.

Jima yelped but somehow remained in his humanoid form. Tabitha’s fingers grew taut and Elvira drew in that much closer. My own heart hammered as a spike of fear flashed through me. When I turned my attention to Keir, his gaze was toward the ceiling.

“She’ll rip through any and every structure to get to the eggs,” Lazarus said a little too calmly for my liking.

My eyes were now on the ceiling too. “Can you take her out?” I asked. I didn’t like the quiet pause that followed.

“We are evenly matched,” Lazarus finally answered. “I am uncertain if Verona’s desperate state of mind will act in my favor or against it. She will be driven by instinct, not logic. That will lend her more strength but less tactical thinking.”

While I could appreciate the honesty, what I’d really wanted to hear was that he was going to kick Verona’s ass, no problem.

A second boom sounded from above, this one louder and with more force. Lazarus’s eyes widened, his words barely audible when he whispered, “The fool.”

Keir’s silence abated as he looked up at Lazarus and asked, “Who?”

“Axios.” The name was ground out, barely a growl. “Verona is not alone.”

“Shit,” Jima and I said as one.

My heart slammed within my chest, pounding hard enough to hurt. I could now feel the answering panic within Gray’s magic. I could vaguely feel where he was and that he was moving closer by the second. Originally, I’d been relieved he was far away. Now, I wanted him closer. I was desperate to hold him in my arms, to try and protect him as best I could.

“How long until Thalia gets here?” Tabitha asked. “Will she be alone or is she traveling with others?”

“There will be others with her,” Lazarus answered. “Thalia is one of our few ancients. Her knowledge and wisdom are too valued to risk her traveling alone. As to when she is expected”—Lazarus checked the time and winced—“not for another three hours. Verona is smart to attack now before the others get here. Verona has always been deviously clever.”

“Can you hold them off long enough for the others to get here?” I asked.

Keir stood, rolling his shoulders. “We’ll hold them off,” he answered.

“You will do no such thing,” Lazarus immediately said, voice stern.

“I most certainly will,” Keir argued. “This is my home. These are my friends and family, and I will defend them as best I can.” Keir pulled himself to his full height. Even still, he had to look up to stare Lazarus in the eyes.

Lazarus’s tone softened as he rested his hands on Keir’s shoulders. “I need you to stay with the eggs.”

Naturally, Keir balked. “I can protect the eggs by fighting alongside you.”

But Lazarus just shook his head. “You cannot. While gryphons are truly mighty warriors, you would not stand a chance against Verona and Axios. Your body, as strong as it is, is not made to withstand their acid.”

“I—”