Andrew had braided his hair for training in a style he’d hoped Xelan would recognize from his ancestor’s genetic memories. Over the course of the last week, Andrew had experienced three memories, and all of them were pretty chill. He was proud to say his ancestor was probably a cool guy with a talent for convincing people to take his suggestions seriously. The Progeny known as Andrius had also amassed an enormous family before…

Well, that’s what bothered Andrew. There was one memory where he was talking to the woman they’d all accepted was Rayne’s ancestor, Celindria. But the two ancient Progeny were on opposing sides of the discussion and then nothing. That was Andrius’ latest memory so far.

The mystery of how Andrius’ life ended left Andrew needing to know more. Hence, the hairdo. He was hoping to segue Xelan into some answers.

Unlike his friends, Andrew lived in an apartment, so no backyard for training. Xelan agreed to meet him at Boyle Park, within walking distance of the complex. He stood in a field of freshly cut grass, and the smell merged with the scent of wet earth from Rock Creek’s nearby banks. The drying leaves of surrounding oak trees heralded the coming of autumn, as fireflies danced their last waltz of the summer.

A Jaguar X-Type pulled up to the gravel lot, and it surprised Andrew to see Xelan step out of it, duffel bag in hand. The Icarus waved like a dork. “Hey.”

Andrew frowned and said, “I thought you could fly or something.”

The other man chuckled as he made his way over, asking, “What part of ‘low profile’ are you and the other Progeny having trouble understanding? I’m not looking to be on some government scientist’s slab for dissection.”

“Oh.” That made sense. When Xelan dropped the bag, Andrew dug through it and grabbed the jump rope. “Kinky…”

But Xelan wasn’t paying attention to Andrew’s hilarious joke. He was peering at the younger man’s hair.

Oh, good.

Andrew said, “Yeah. I’ve had a few other memories of Andrius. Can you tell me anything about him? And what’s a ‘Pretiosum Cruor?’”

Xelan hid a wince, but not before Andrew glimpsed it. He said, “I’ll answer after you give me three solid minutes of jumping rope.”

Pfft. Like that was hard or something?

After three minutes, Andrew was spitting between gasps for air. This road to fitness would kill any chance of him becoming a smoker. “Okay,” he managed between deep inhales. After a ragged exhale, he croaked, “Tell me.”

Xelan didn’t smirk or taunt him. He seemed completely aware of the tolls this sort of training would take on the human body. They obviously weren’t the first humans he’d gotten into shape. He said, “I was hoping to tell everyone about it as a group, but I suppose we’ll have to cover this one at a time. The Pretiosum Cruor is a device Kyle’s ancestor—Devis—created to seal the conduit to Cinder. Did you see what it looked like?”

Fully recovered, Andrew retrieved the jump rope, ready to go again. “It was a glass heart thingy with a gold dagger through it, but there was nothing inside.”

At Xelan’s nod, Andrew resumed jumping rope for another three minutes. The Icarus said, “When filled with blood, it genetically locked the conduit to the donor.” While Xelan spoke, he paced around Andrew as if he couldn’t keep still while telling the story.

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Breathing heavy already, Andrew strained to ask, “Celindria?”

“She took it upon herself, yes. So the conduit can’t open without her blood.”

Wait.

Andrew frowned. Between skips, he asked, “But she’s dead, right? So, why are you worried about Nox invading?”

Xelan stopped pacing, stood in front of Andrew, and stared. Hard. There was entirely too much gravity to his solemn expression, and he seemed unwilling to speak the answer aloud.

How else could Nox come by Celindria’s blood—

Oh.

Andrew stopped jumping prematurely and stared at Xelan with his mouth falling open.

Rayne.

“Does she know?”

Xelan sighed and ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. “Like I said, I wanted to tell you altogether, but first I’d hoped to ease you into it. So, no. I haven’t told her, but I’d plan to when she’s older and more grounded in this invasion business.”

Andrew pulled on the back of his neck with both hands and blew the air from his cheeks. “Shit. I don’t think I want to know this.”

“Well, you do. So you can tell her or wait until I think she’s ready.”

Nox would target Rayne, specifically. She was in danger, and Andrew knew it. His voice came out soft as he said, “Please, don’t leave this up to me. I want to help her.”

Xelan nodded as if something had occurred to him. “You can, and I think I know how. Can you commit to extra work—” He held up a warning finger before Andrew blurted out his answer. Xelan added, “In secret. The others can’t know.”

If it meant helping them… “Yeah. I can.”

Without another word, Xelan took out his cell phone and made a call. There was no greeting or conversation exchanged. He simply gave their location in the park to whomever had answered.

Andrew’s brows went up, bewildered, and Xelan didn’t offer any further details. Instead, he said, “Get a few more minutes of cardio in while we wait.”

Ten minutes later, a Mercedes S-Class pulled up beside the Jaguar. When the man stepped out, Andrew knew he wasn’t human. He wasn’t as tall as Xelan, but there was a certain confidence in how the Icari carried themselves.

Majestic.

That was the word.

The Icarus with sandy-brown hair crossed the lawn, accumulating grass stains on his fancy business suit. With molten-gold eyes, he took one look at Andrew and said, “You’re Andrius’ descendant. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lucas.” He held out his hand.

Andrew’s hands went sweaty, nervous to meet another human-appearing alien. Still, he shook Lucas’ hand. “Hi. My name’s Andrew.”

“I know.” After the other man shone him a magnificent smile, they both turned and looked expectantly at Xelan.

“Lucas, you told me The Brethren were looking into a human member. How about a Progeny?” Xelan grinned as if this were a spectacular idea.

But as Andrew realized what he was saying, the young man frowned.

The Brethren.

Lucas looked cautiously optimistic. “It’s a sound idea, but how will I explain meeting a Progeny after The Brethren warned you to stay away from this generation of descendants?”

Mischief sparkled in Xelan’s eyes as he said, “Well… I was. You weren’t. This must be your idea for it to work.”

The incredulity in Lucas’ answering smile spoke volumes of the friendship between the two Icari. They were clearly accustomed to each other’s antics. After shaking his head, Lucas asked, “Andrew, how do you feel about this? It’s a bigger commitment than I’m sure this mad scientist has made clear.”

There was no question. No doubt. Andrew said, “I want to help with the invasion. To help keep Rayne safe from Nox. Our families… Everyone.”

Something flashed in Lucas’ golden eyes for an instant before it vanished.

Was that respect? Appreciation?

Whatever it was, Andrew hoped to see more of it. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

Lucas and Xelan exchanged an approving glance before Lucas said, “Very well. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to The Brethren. You’ll need to act as if it’s the first time you’re meeting Xelan, and you can’t breathe a word to the rest. Otherwise, we’ll risk exposing Xelan’s secret training plan.”

“Yeah. I’ll tell my mom I got a part-time job at the Callahan’s bookstore.”

Xelan patted Andrew on the back. “Perfect. Then you can fill me in on all the duplicitous schemes Lucas here refuses to tell me.”

Lucas leaned over and whispered into Andrew’s ear, “Play along as if I’m telling you a juicy secret.”

Andrew almost gaped, but for real. The spicy scent of the shorter Icarus was so intoxicating, he’d almost held onto Lucas to draw in more.

Xelan brought Andrew back to the here and now when he sulked. “Don’t keep me hanging. What did he say to you?”

Lucas chuckled, a warm rich sound.

With a shake of his head, Andrew recovered himself enough to play along. “That’s for me to know and for you to lose your mind over not knowing.”

Lucas winked, and Andrew swallowed.

Were all the Icari this hot?

Andrew was so in over his head.