Suzi spent hours with Aiden, pouring out every strange, surreal detail of her life since the last time she’d been by his hospital bed. There in Guillermo—the private space within her own mind—she felt safe enough to share it all: the supernatural powers, the absurd inheritance, and her looming plan to chase down a damned Chaos Demon. Every word dropped like a stone, and though Aiden’s tiny room felt claustrophobic, his pacing made it feel even smaller.

“This is… a lot, babe,” he finally said, brows drawn tight. “Supernatural powers? Thirty billion dollars you aren’t keeping? Now you’re literally hunting some psychotic demon?” He huffed in frustration. “It sounds like a freaking fantasy novel.”

“Chaos demon,” Suzi corrected, her tone subdued. “Though, yeah, definitely psychotic enough. I get it. Sometimes I think I’ve lost my mind.” She gave a small, bitter laugh. “Maybe none of this is real. Maybe you’re not even here. Hell, maybe I should be locked up.”

Aiden snorted, crossing his arms. “You’ve been batshit crazy since the day I met you, but if anyone’s cut out for weird cosmic bullshit, it’s you. Besides, you didn’t sign up for this—some otherworldly fucktard decided to drop it in your lap. And that Doyle asshole? He’s lucky I’m in a coma. I’d fucking tear him a new—”

“I know,” Suzi said, voice trembling. She didn’t want him brooding over the horrors she’d gone through. “I just…needed you to know where I stand. But I do have friends helping.”

They kept talking until a sudden jolt yanked Suzi from Guillermo. Awareness slammed back into her body like a fist. She blinked, finding a nurse shaking her shoulder.

“Ma’am?” The nurse’s tone held that tight edge of someone tired of repeating herself.

Suzi’s surroundings refocused. Machines beeping around them, reminding her of reality. “Yes, sorry,” she managed, throat tight. “What is it?”

“You need to leave. Visiting hours ended thirty minutes ago,” the nurse said, trying and failing to look authoritative. “If you don’t, I’ll have to call security.”

An exhausted wave of defeat washed over Suzi. She mustered a conciliatory smile. “Right. I’m sorry. May I just have one more minute with him? Please?”

“One minute,” the nurse repeated, then left, not looking thrilled.

Suzi glanced at Aiden’s battered face, battered body. She knew she couldn’t jump fully into Guillermo again, explaining how desperately she wanted to say “I love you.” But fuck, maybe she’d risk security. Just a second or two. She bent closer, whispered his name, and slipped briefly inside Guillermo, where Aiden stood waiting, confusion etched across his features.

“I gotta go, love,” she rushed out, tears pressing behind her eyes. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

“Suzi? Babe, what’s happening?” he asked, voice laced with alarm, as if the entire conversation they’d just had had been wiped away.

Her heart clenched. Then a strong hand clamped down on her shoulder again, jolting her back to the real world, pulling her away from Aiden’s hand. A young male doctor blocked her view of Aiden, the same nurse behind him, arms folded smugly.

“Miss, you have to leave,” he said, forcibly guiding her away from the bed.

Suzi strained toward Aiden’s hand in desperation. “No, please, you don’t understand—something’s not right.”

“Hospital policy,” the doctor intoned, calm but firm. “We do everything we can for our patients, but you must leave now. You can come back tomorrow at 7 a.m.”

Frustration and heartbreak erupted within her. She thrashed, wanting to yank free and race to Aiden’s side, but logic told her it’d get her nowhere. “Let me go. There is something wrong with my husband.”

“Lory, go get Ed,” the doctor ordered the nurse as Suzi broke free of his grasp, although he now stood between her and Aiden.

The nurse ran out the door.

“There is something wrong with him. I need you to run a scan, a test, or something.”

He held up his hands as if ready to hold her back and spoke calmly, “Ma’am—he is being medically sedated to allow his extensive injuries time to heal. He is under constant observation. I assure you we are doing everything for him we can.”

The nurse darted away, presumably for security, and within moments a tall, broad man in a black uniform stepped through the door, scanning the room.

“Everything okay here?” the guard asked in a low rumble.

She wanted to throw a tantrum. There was no way she could even remotely explain to them what or how she knew without being put on a 96-hour psychiatric hold. She felt this was another failure added to her list. Suzi’s shoulders sagged. “No problem,” she said quietly, tears stinging her eyes. “I’m going.”

Relief swept across the staff as they relaxed. Suzi trudged down the hallway, feeling useless and broken, as if she’d failed Aiden all over again. Darcy was nowhere in sight, so Suzi fell into a chair in the family waiting room and fired off a group text to Aiden’s parents and the kids:

“Aiden is now in room 713, standard ICU, no more quarantine. Still under constant observation, but his vitals are better. I love you all.”

Responses trickled in: Rio’s quick “Thanks for the update, Mom,” Ruth’s heart emoji, Reed’s thumbs-up. Maeve’s text bubble flickered and vanished, leaving Suzi’s heart squeezed with worry. She had no space or time to dwell on it, though.

A few minutes later, Darcy strutted out of the bathroom, practically glowing, whistling some jaunty tune. Her face was bright—happier than Suzi had ever seen.

“You kids having fun?” Suzi asked, voice thick with bitterness.

A sly grin lit Darcy’s eyes. She tapped her forehead. “Did you know if I have an orgasm, she has one too?”

“Oh, Jesus,” Suzi groaned, pressing a hand over her eyes. “What the fuck, Darcy. I didn’t need the mental image.”

Stolen novel; please report.

Darcy gave an unrepentant shrug. “We’ve had hours, you know—she’s in my head, and it’s not like there are boundaries in there. You were in there with Aiden for ages. We do what we do.”

Suzi glared, cheeks heating. “I was talking to Aiden. I want Gracie Jo innocent once I put her back in her body.”

“Yeah, about that,” Darcy said, the grin sliding to seriousness. “I was hoping you could take her from me sooner rather than later. If shit hits the fan and I go down, I don’t want her stuck in me. If you can’t get me in time before I…” She trailed off, lowering her voice, “…expire.”

“What are you whispering?” Suzi demanded, though she understood.

“You’re not supposed to say the ‘D’ word in a hospital. Everyone knows that.”

“Dick? Damn?” Suzi joked.

Darcy spelled it out: “D–I–E.”

“You’re turning into Jo.” Suzi grabbed her arm, aiming them toward the elevator. “Come on. And by the way, I’m sure spelling it is just as bad.”

* * * * *

Suzi hovered near the open drawer, watching Darcy and the doctor select relics—tools meant to defend against the Chaos Demon they were planning to lure in. Her skin prickled with an odd mix of excitement and dread. Even after everything she’d experienced, the idea of choosing to face a demon still struck her as surreal.

“They can’t be out in the open,” Darcy explained, leaning on the hidden drawer in front of them. “The room’s gotta be spotless—totally minimal. That’s part of the bait, see? A perfect scene for a chaos demon to trash.” She pointed her chin at Suzi. “Plus, you’re the ‘bait,’ chéri. You’ll be right in the middle.”

Suzi frowned. “Why not just stash all these relics in the other room? Then we can grab them if the demon shows.” She nodded toward the relic room.

Doctor Everett lifted the Gauntlet of Hofniel, turning it under the light. “Because opening that door would break the containment seal formed by the glyphs once we activate them,” he said.

He slid the gauntlet into the drawer, a fleeting smile crossing Darcy’s face when she saw it.

“Exactly,” Darcy added. “We want the demon thinking you’re helpless. Of course, Bear will be hidden. I’ll watch from Limbo. The doc here—”

“I’ll hide in plain sight,” Everett murmured, checking something off his mental list.

Suzi tried not to roll her eyes. “I just don’t see why it would show up tonight. It’s been a week since it last attacked me. We’re sure it’ll appear?”

A voice rumbled from behind her—Bear, entering hand-in-hand with Kyle. “Because we’re making it an offer it can’t refuse.” He slid his gaze to Darcy. “The Chains of Foraii might help.”

At his mention, Darcy crouched beneath a display case, hauling out a pair of ancient, barbed chains that practically dripped with malevolence. Suzi’s skin crawled at the sight of them—like they’d been forged in the deepest fires of hell.

Kyle just stared, stunned by the macabre relic. “What is all this stuff?” he asked.

Bear shrugged like it was no big deal. “Tools of the trade,” he said, flipping through items in the drawer.

Kyle, towering over Suzi, shook his head, then pushed her gently aside. “Nah, you want something that’ll actually stop a threat?” he said, drawing a gleaming chrome pistol from his coat. “.50 AE Desert Eagle. This baby can stop an elephant at full charge.” He popped the clip out, dropping both into the drawer with casual confidence.

Bear carefully pinched the gun between his thumb and index finger, handing it back to Kyle with a polite smile. “We’re not trying to destroy the host, just the demon. No thanks.”

“Suit yourselves.” Kyle shrugged, holstering his sidearm.

Suzi folded her arms. “So, he knows now?” She aimed the question at Bear, flicking her gaze to Kyle.

Kyle bristled. “I can speak for myself. You told us before, remember? I already helped bail you and Phineas out a while back.”

“I meant about Bear’s… abilities.” She tried not to let her embarrassment show.

Bear cleared his throat. “I told him everything. Not keeping secrets this time.”

Suzi’s gaze darted to Kyle, gauging his reaction. “And you’re…cool with it?”

Kyle huffed. “I did fourteen black ops missions with SEALs and Delta Force. If Bear tries to show me anything spookier than that, good luck. I’ve seen it all.”

Dr. Everett lifted his eyebrows. “You were a SEAL?”

“Chief Petty Officer Kyle Zachary Dillinger,” Kyle said, half-ass saluting before extending his hand for a shake. “Been out a while, though. Did you serve?”

Surprisingly, Everett shook his hand firmly, but his eyes flickered as if some recognition—some Death Reading—passed over him. Suzi caught the subtle tension and wondered what did he see for Kyle’s death?

Everett let go. “Yes, but not in the U.S. And thank you for your service.”

“I come from a long line of servicemen.” Kyle gave a small, polite nod. “My mom and sister served, too.”

Everett nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank them as well.” He turned to Bear and Darcy. “I need to get my gear on. Mind finishing up here? I’d also like a minute with Suzi so she knows what to expect.””

“This looks well in hand,” Bear said, expression calm. “You get ready, and we’ll prep her.”

Kyle took that as license to slip his hand inside the drawer, picking up the Gauntlet of Hofniel, starting to slide it over his right arm. Bear smacked the back of Kyle’s left hand without even glancing. Kyle scowled, pulling the gauntlet off.

Everett broke away, heading up the stairs two at a time.

The moment he disappeared, Darcy leaned into Bear’s ear, murmuring, “He’s hiding something, you know. Suzi told me he remembers her therapy stuff from the last three years—but claims no memory of those four years he was missing.”

Bear nodded once. “We had our suspicions. We just need proof.”

Kyle cursed quietly, struggling with some sticky feeling in his palm. Bear took Kyle’s hand and peeled off a thin, clear pad, holding it up in triumph. Suzi stared, baffled.

Bear plucked out a small container from his pocket and dropped the pad inside. “A little eau de doctor,” he said. “Might help us get into his safe. Or check if he’s still possessed.”

Suzi’s brow knitted. “Wouldn’t Darcy sense if he was possessed?”

“Not always,” Darcy admitted, rolling her shoulders. “Weak-willed demons can cloak themselves, especially if someone’s aura is strong enough to mask it.”

Suzi shivered at the idea. “But if the demon’s that weak, wouldn’t Everett’s will just squash it?”

“Unless it’s voluntary,” Darcy murmured ominously.

Bear pocketed the little sample, then turned to Suzi with a solemn look. “Are you really ready for this trap tonight?”

Suzi swallowed, memory flashing to the last demon that nearly ended her. “Darcy and Everett explained that with no debris and a clean, organized room, will draw it to me, then you will activate the containment glyphs, and we’ll have to capture it, but it’ll be limited to this room.”

“Right,” Bear said. “Chaos demons thrives on destruction. It’ll lash out at anything too tidy. While it’s wrecking the design, we get a moment to activate the final seal. I’ll hide in the walls, Darcy in Limbo, the doc…somewhere. Then we capture it.”

Kyle stepped forward, posture bristling. “What about me? I can hole up in the rafters or that loft, cover you with my Desert Eagle if it breaks free.”

Bear gave a swift, firm head shake. “No. It’s too risky. This is as much a metaphysical battle as physical. You could get seriously hurt.”

Kyle’s mouth twisted. “Hell, that’s the same nonsense Suzi tried telling me weeks ago, and we did just fine. We even saved her ass.”

Bear started to retort, but Suzi jumped in. “Kyle, we’re immortal. If you die, we’d be stuck living forever with that guilt. Also, your sister would want vengeance. You know too many of our secrets. Your safety keeps our secrets safe.”

“She’s right.” Everett’s voice drifted from the stairs, and Suzi turned to see him descending, clad in some ancient tan leather armor that made him look like a warrior from an archaic civilization.

She snorted audibly. “What the hell is that?”

“My armor from the first Sumerian war,” he replied, chin raised, as if half expecting applause.

Suzi’s mouth quirked. “Bit outdated, don’t you think?”

He huffed. “It masks my aura and lets me blend into shadows, which is exactly what I need tonight.”

“Thank you for your service,” Kyle said. “What do these mean?” he asked, Kyle’s gaze roamed the intentionally carved gashes in the armor’s chest plate.

Everett gave Kyle a polite nod.

Bear, eyes flicking over from behind the half-finished glyph, answered, “It reads ‘King Enmebaragesi, Kish of Sumer.’”

Darcy made a grandiose mock-curtsey. “Your eminence,” she teased.

Everett rolled his eyes. “It was a long, long time ago. You can skip the bowing. Now, are we ready?”

“It’s almost eleven.” Bear tossed a paint rag aside. “We set up at midnight. Kyle, guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kyle looked as if he wanted to argue but just sighed and rubbed his beard, “Fine. But after this is over, I want a crash course on these weird relics.”